THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, October 17, 2048

IPA GOLD BATS GIVEN TO BOISSEAU AND DINOZZO
Two sluggers took home the IPA Golden Bat trophies this year. Lenny Buisson of the Belle Plaine Musketeers nabbed the Ruthlandian best hitter trophy, while the Tycobbian honor went to Corky DiNozzo of the Kenwood Wildcats.

Buisson sparked the Muskies to a third place finish in the Ruthlandian East with 54 homers, 125 RBIs and 121 runs scored. Only in his first full season in the IPA, Buisson batted .345. At age 23 he led the IPA in homers, was second in runs, seventh in RBIs and sixth in BA. Buisson won the Rookie of the Year Award last year, but didn't play the entire year.

The RU Golden Bat runner-up was Claxton's phenomenal rookie Whit Miley, who paced his club to the Ruthlandian South Division title with a marvelous .357 BA, second best in the IPA. The 20-year old left fielder had 14 home runs, scored 106 times and batted in 72 runs. Miley compiled a .460 on-base percentage, winding up the season with 109 walks, fifth best in the Ruthlandian Union.

In third place in the voting was Ancona's standout outfielder Eldon Aldridge. At age 35 he hit a solid .315 with 37 dingers, 126 RBIs and 85 runs for the seventh place Red Elephants. Aldridge came in third in the IPA in RBIs.

This was the first time in his impressive career that Corky DiNozzo won the Tycobbian Golden Bat. The 32-year-old star had a career year for the Kenwood Wildcats with a .335 BA, 52 HRs, 126 RBIs and 104 runs scored. In the IPA he was second to Buisson in homers and tied for third in RBIs. The Wildcats wound up second this season behind the Pro Cup champion Rolling Hills Reds. The Wildcats had won division crown the past four seasons.

South Fork's talented shortstop Pete Arnold was the second choice in the Golden Bat balloting. He hit .330 with 22 roundtrippers, 65 RBIs, scored 128 runs and stole 54 bases. Arnold led the IPA in runs and stolen bases. The speedster has led Tycobbian Union in thefts in seven of his nine seasons.

Bayview's powerful slugger Jerry Culpepper, a five-time Golden Bat winner, was third this year. He's still going strong at 34 with a .323 BA, 46 HRs, 116 RBIs and 99 runs scored. For the 15th straight season he has batted in at least 100 runs. Culpepper is second on the all-time home-run list with 799. Only IPA icon Jack Elliott has hit more. Elliott holds the career record with 849 roundtrippers.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, October 18, 2048

HAWK AND MCKINNEY BEST IPA HURLERS
The best hurlers in the IPA in 2048 are Ralph Hawk and Will McKinney. They are this year's winners of the coveted Golden Arm Awards given out by the Islandian Pro Alliance. Hawk is an 11-year veteran that led the Ranford Bulls to a second place finish in the Ruthlandian North, while McKinney has played seven years with the San Alejo Montaneros, the third-place team in the Tycobbian South.

Hawk is a 30-year-old right-hander. He had a fabulous season with a 26-6 record and a 1.84 ERA. Hawk ranked second in the IPA in wins and ERA. Teddy Twardzik's 28 victories for Valmara and Rusty Howard's 1.65 ERA for Forest City were the only ones better than him. In his career Hawk is 182-120 with a super 2.59 ERA. This was his first Ruthlandian Golden Arm trophy.

Teddy Twardzik finished a close second in the competition with a brilliant 28-7 mark and a 2.53 ERA. His Valmara Vipers won the Ruthlandian North this year.

Number three in the Golden Arm balloting was Forest City's Rusty Howard, who paced the IPA in both ERA and strikeouts. Howard struck out 298 batters and posted a superb 1.65 ERA. Overall he was 21-12 for the season and helped the Lumberjacks make the playoffs for the first time in almost four decades. Howard came in second in the IPA with 6 shutouts, beaten only by Sligo's Mickey Walsh, who chalked up 7.

Will McKinney won out in the Golden Arm voting in a tight race with Rolling Hills' Matthew Christianson and Southport's Johnny Swanson. This year McKinney, a 29-year-old southpaw, fashioned a 22-12 record with a 2.31 ERA. He fanned 282 batters and crafted 4 shutouts in the season. Lifetime McKinney is 157-82 with a strong 2.71 ERA. This year's Tycobbian Golden Arm winner was the Rookie of the Year in 2042.

McKinney's runner-up in the Golden Arm voting, Matthew Christianson, was one of the prime reasons the Rolling Hills Reds captured the Tycobbian West Division and eventually won this year's Pro Cup. Christianson was fourth in the IPA with an impressive 2.19 ERA. His season record was 22-11.

Johnny Swanson, the talented portsider for the Southport Sun Sox, came in third behind McKinney and Christianson. He put up a 22-11 mark with a fine 2.41 ERA and was a big cog in the Sun Sox's IPA-leading 101 victories.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, October 19, 2048

IPA TOP ROOKS TROPHIES TO MILEY AND REAVES
After several slack seasons the Islandian Pro Alliance finally got some top-notch newcomers this year. The IPA Rookies of the Year are Whit Miley of the Claxton Diamonds and Ruben Reaves of the White River Rascals. Miley picked up the Ruthlandian Union best freshman trophy and Reaves received the Tycobbian Union award.

This year Whit Miley burst on the IPA scene with a big bang. Not only did he make the All-Star team, but he finished second to Golden Bat winner Lenny Buisson of Belle Plaine and now has been honored with the Ruthlandian Rookie of the Year Award. It was a fantastic season for the 20-year-old left fielder. Miley was second in the IPA with a .357 batting average. He racked up 196 hits, 30 doubles, 4 triples, 14 HRs, 72 RBIs and scored 106 times in leading the Claxton Diamonds to a first-place finish in the Ruthlandian South Division. Miley paced the IPA with a .460 OBP. He walked 109 times this season.

Runner-up in the rookie voting was Marston's All-Star second sacker Damien D'Amboise. In his first IPA season D'Amboise hit .314 with 18 homers, 92 RBIs, 97 runs scored and 25 SBs. The Nine came in fifth in the RU East race.

A third rookie also had a strong season. Ranford's left fielder Joey Hawkins hit .309, collected 24 home runs, 89 RBIs, 97 runs and 11 SBs to help the Bulls finish second in the Ruthlandian North.

Ruben Reaves, the Tycobbian Rookie of the Year, led the White River Rascals to the Tycobbian North title with an exceptional year. He batted .311 with 35 homers, 98 RBIs and 118 runs. Reaves also walked 101 times and stole 14 bases. He was ranked fourth in the IPA in runs scored.

Number two in the balloting was Troy Hill of the Southport Sun Sox. The rookie reliever chalked up a 7-3 record with superb 2.14 ERA and 18 saves in 54 appearances. He ranked fifth in the IPA in saves. The Sun Sox won the Tycobbian South and had the second-best record in the IPA with 101 victories, topped only by Valmara's 102.

Another freshman hurler came in third in the TU Rookie of the Year vote. Left-hander Boyd Hackman registered a standout 17-6 mark for the Mahaska Haymakers with a 3.38 ERA in 26 starts. Mahaska wound up fourth in the TU North race.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 20, 2048

GOLDEN BATS ALSO COP IPA MVP HONORS
Lenny Buisson and Corky DiNozzo have a lot in common - standout sluggers, Golden Bat winners - and now, they both are IPA Most Valuable Players. Buisson of the Belle Plaine Musketeers was named the Ruthlandian MVP and DiNozzo of the Kenwood Wildcats took the Tycobbian award. They were both instrumental in their clubs posting winning records this year. The Musketeers went 84-70 and finished third in the RU East Division, while Kenwood came in second to the Pro Cup champion Rolling Hills in the TU West with an 81-73 mark. Buisson and DiNozzo are first-time winners of the MVP trophies.

Right fielder Lenny Buisson beat out the IPA Rookie of the Year Whit Miley of Claxton and Teddy Twardzik of Valmara for the Ruthlandian Union MVP Award. Buisson posted a wonderful season by ranking first in the IPA in homers with 54, first in hits with 213, second in runs scored with 128, sixth with a .345 BA and seventh in RBIs with 125.

He had worthy competition from Miley and Twardzik. Miley, second in the voting, sparked the Claxton Diamonds to the RU South pennant with a .357 BA, second best in the IPA, while Twardzik, number three in the MVP poll, led the IPA with 28 victories and led Valmara to the RU North title.

At 32 years of age, Corky DiNozzo put up the best numbers in his 14 seasons with a .335 BA, 52 homers, 126 RBIs and 104 runs scored. He came in second to Buisson in roundtrippers and third in RBIs.

Second in the Tycobbian MVP balloting was the ace of the Rolling Hills mound staff Matthew Christianson, one of the prime movers in the Reds first-place finish in the TU West. He went 22-11 this season with a 2.19 ERA, fourth best in the IPA. The TU Rookie of the Year, Ruben Reaves of the White River Rascals, came in third in the poll. He had a super season with a .311 BA, 35 homers, 98 RBIs and 118 runs scored and paced the Rascals to a pennant-winning year in the Tycobbian North.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, October 21, 2048

IPA GOLD GLOVERS ANNOUNCED
There is a lot of new blood on the IPA Golden Glove teams this season. Only five of the 18 honorees have previously been named. Jojo DeLucca (Claxton) has won the award five times, Marty Featherstone (Rocky Rapids) and Darrell Nesbitt (Hartsdale) have made the team three times and Darwin Tard (Rolling Hills) and Ken Smith (Chicopee) twice in their careers. Only one rookie was chosen this year. Jesse Stetson of the Far Mountain Redhawks is the only first-year player to make the squad. Hartsdale and Southport were the only clubs to have two representatives on the Golden Glove teams.

Ruthlandian Union Golden Glove Team:
SP Royce Netterville (Valka) (9-7/3.49/3 saves) (1.000 FA)
C Glenn Tinker (Beechwood) (.254/9/58/74) (.994 FA/7 PB/28.6% RTO)
1B Jojo DeLucca (Claxton) (.279/30/126/91) (.995 FA)
2B Marty Featherstone (Rocky Rapids) (.302/35/100/93) (.979 FA)
3B Earl Walker (LaGrange) (.315/6/60/83) (.962 FA)
SS Jesse Stetson (Far Mountain) (.240/8/39/58) (.977 FA)
LF Ted Murphee (Crystal Lake) (.342/15/71/99) (.997 FA)
CF Jotaro Suzuki (Ancona) (.287/28/92/72) (.997 FA)
RF Troy McFarland (Eastshore) (.259/33/105/77) (.984 FA)

Tycobbian Union Golden Glove Team:
SP Gordon Forbes (Southport) (26-10/3.64) (.966 FA)
C James Boswell (Mahaska) (.253/39/97/66) (.996 FA/6 PB/38.5% RTO)
1B Darwin Tard (Rolling Hills) (.294/30/94/100) (.993 FA)
2B Ricky Whitaker (Southport) (.319/10/87/72) (.984 FA)
3B Ken Smith (Chicopee) (.341/8/77/78) (.948 FA)
SS Pete Arnold (South Fork) (.330/22/65/128) (.985 FA)
LF Darrell Nesbitt (Hartsdale) (.308/14/67/106) (.990 FA)
CF Rusty Hunter (Bayview) (.301/1/35/90) (.991 FA)
RF Emilian Burgess (Hartsdale) (.284/12/65/84) (.994 FA)

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, October 22, 2048

VASYLENKO AND ELLIOTT TOP SKIPPERS IN IPA
The Islandian Pro Alliance managers that got the most out of what they had this year were Vanya Vasylenko of Valmara and Jack Elliott of the High Mesa. They were acclaimed the top skippers in the league. Vasylenko won his third Ruthlandian Manager of the Year trophy in the last six seasons, while Elliott was named the Tycobbian Manager of the Year for the first time in his storied career.

Vasylenko led the Valmara Vipers from fourth place to first place in the Ruthlandian North with the club improving from 82-72 to an IPA best 102-52. Only one other skipper got any votes in the poll. Forest City's Rich Barstow was just barely beaten out in a very close ballot. He guided his Lumberjacks to their first postseason appearance in 36 seasons. The 'Jacks moved up from fourth place to the division title, going from 83-71 in 2047 to 92-72 this season.

Vasylenko and Barstow both pitched in the IPA. Vasylenko starred for the Vipers from 2001 to 2020, compiling a glossy 304-260 mark with a 3.45 ERA, while Barstow toiled for the Lumberjacks for almost all of his modest 20-year career, posting a 260-295 record with a 3.79 ERA. He retired in 2046 and took charge of Forest City in 2047. Vasylenko has been at the helm of Valmara since 2036.

Jack Elliott, the Tycobbian skipper of the year, sparked the High Mesa Cowboys to the playoffs for the first time in almost four decades. The Cowpokes last appeared in the postseson in 2003. In one of the closest votes ever, Elliott prevailed over three other well-qualified challengers to win the prestigious honor. High Mesa rose up from third place (86-68) in the Tycobbian East to the top spot (99-55). One of the all-time great IPA players, Elliott played for the Cowboys for 18 years and had a fabled career with a .332 batting average and an IPA record 848 home runs. Sadly, he never played in the postseason. He has skippered the Cowboys since 2037. In 2032 Elliott was voted into the IPA Hall of Fame.

Runner-up in the vote was Rolling Hills' Matty Christianson, who led the Reds to the Tycobbian West division crown with a 95-59 record. The year before they were in third place with an 84-70 mark. Christianson has won the Manager of the Year Award on three occasions.

In third place was White River's Mick Cronyn, who paced his Rascals to a splendid season, rising up from 84-70 and second place to 94-60 and the pennant in the Tycobbian North. Cronyn was a journeyman hurler for 15 lackluster seasons with the Rascals in the early days of the IPA. He posted a 196-201 record with a 3.73 ERA.

In the fourth spot on the Tycobbian Manager of the Year ballot was another IPA icon, Lorne Evans, a veteran of 19 seasons, split between Southport and Tuckanarra. Evans led Southport to 101 wins and the Tycobbian South pennant this year. Last season in his rookie season Evans also won the division title with a 92-62 record, was named Manager of the Year and also won the Pro Cup. Lifetime Evans hit .305 with 701 homers and was voted into the IPA Hall of Fame in 2045.

Vanya Vasylenko * Jack Elliott

That puts the finishing touches of the 2048 season.
I'll take a few days to work on the new rosters for the coming season.

Thanks for continuing to follow the IPA.
Much appreciated.

42 of the 64 teams have been updated with new free agents.
Season 49 should start within a couple of days.

Thank you for following the IPA.

I will begin a series this year where I will feature the top position players and pitchers of each decade for the Ruthlandian and Tycobbian Unions.
.
After I announce the 2000-2009. 2010-2019, 2020-2029, 2030-2039, 2040-2050 Decade teams, I will pick an All-time IPA team from all of of those years 2001-2050.

All the team rosters have been updated.

I will give the preseason predictions for the coming season beginning on Monday.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, April 5, 2049

5 PENNANT WINNERS FAVORED TO REPEAT IN IPA
In general, the good teams will be good in the IPA and the bad teams will be bad. Five of the division winners from last year are favored to win again this year. White River is forecast to win the Tycobbian Union with Valmara winning the Ruthlandian crown and also taking the Pro Cup for the overall Islands' baseball supremacy. The Rolling Hills Reds whipped the Claxton Diamonds in last year's Pro Cup Finals.

Defending Ruthlandian division champions, Valmara, Sugar Valley and Forest City, are this year's choices to win again. Waleska was given the nod in the Ruthlandian South in a very tight race with last year's winner Claxton. The Westerners tied for third last year.

Valmara is expected to run away with the RU North again with no real challenger. Sugar Valley will be tested by Belle Plaine and Marston in the RU East and in the RU West it will be a three-team battle royal between last year's champ and this year's favorite Forest City, Rocky Rapids and Middlefield. Any one of the trio could win it.

Rolling Hills and White River are expected to repeat in the Tycobbian Union with Hillsboro and San Alejo picked to be the best in the other two divisions. The Blazers wound up sixth in 2048 and the Montaneros came in third. Last year's TU East champ High Mesa was named the third-best team this season in the preseason poll. Tuckanarra is rated the second-best club in the division with South Fork and Midway not too far behind them in fourth and fifth places. Turon will give San Alejo the toughest time in the TU South with defending titleholder Southport and Cape Coral in the chase, but not very close. The oddsmakers ranked the Sun Sox third in the division and the Hurricanes fourth.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, April 5, 2049

VIPERS TOO DOMINANT IN RU NORTH
The Valmara Vipers vaulted to 102 wins last year and the pollsters say they will win a 100 or more this year. Manager Vanya Vasylenko has the best team in the IPA and is picked to win the Pro Cup this season. The Vipers have no real competition in the Ruthlandian North Division and should finish quite a few games ahead of second place LaGrange, third place Glasco and fourth place Far Mountain.

1. VALMARA: The Vipers still have a great rotation with three 20-game winners, Teddy Twardzik (28-7/2.53), Primo Sirak (21-11/2.55) and Mark Polaski (25-11/2.92)... plus three talented rookie hurlers Darus Grajek, Kasio Bajek and Mirko Musial have been added to the staff... sparking the solid offense will be Ken Jensen (.314/9 HR), Jorge Aparicio (.313/11 HR), Tomek Abromczyk (.361/27 HR) and CF Don Ritchie (.277/14 HR).

None of the other clubs have the talent to contend with Valmara... the LaGrange Sports, Glasco Athletics and Far Mountain Redhawks are a little better than the Kilkenny Cats, Ranford Bulls and Taranto Tars... hapless and hopeless Ancona is destined to finish near the bottom for the ninth year in a row.

2. LAGRANGE: tied for fourth last season (79-75)... losing star hurler Arnie Ayers (18-14/2.83) was a severe loss... he was injured last September at the end of the season and probably will not play at all this year... still the Sports have pretty fair starters with Hot Dog Huxtable (18-14/2.67), Johnny Stoneham (15-9/3.39) and Billy Walton (16-14/3.95))... keep an eye on number four in the rotation Justin Menard (5-2/1.59)... could be a breakout year... pretty fair offense, but no great sticks... SS John Rodgers (.302/22 HR), Earl Walker (.315/6 HR), Clayton Justice (.282/21 HR and C Scott Wallace (.65/23 HR) are the best of the lot.

3. GLASCO: flopped badly to last place last season (63-91)... after being forecast to challenge for pennant... doesn't look like a third place team this year... only fair pitching and mediocre bats... veteran star Pat Meyers (16-20/3.11) is a rock-solid starter... not a good stick in the lineup.

4. FAR MOUNTAIN: came in distant third last year (87-67)... capable starting four in Ryan Kolb (14-10/2.25), Stan Smith (19-9/3.84), Jonas Glover (15-15/3.31) and Curt Steinhauer (13-16/3.77)... two years ago Steinhauer won 22 games... fine closer in Jack McKinney (14-12/18 saves)... Bert Richter (.299/31 HR) is the only threat in the lineup... rookie SS Ben Grifka looks like he has won the position and will start the season... Grifka is a good defender and impressive contact hitter... should finish higher than fourth.

5. KILKENNY: finished sixth in 2048 (77-77)... doesn't score enough runs to contend... has pretty good pitching with Dave Stratford (22-14/2.77))... Glen Caswell (15-20/3.10) is capable, too... Andy Mayfield (11-2/3.32/19 saves) is a better-than-average closer.

6. RANFORD: had a very good season last year... distant second to Valmara with a 90-64 mark... Golden Arm winner Ralph Hawk (26-6/1.84) led the way... good offense paced by RF Dale Weston (.271/32 HR), LF Joey Hawkins (.309/24 HR) and 3B Harley Freeman (.305/20 HR)... the Bulls are too good for sixth place... could be as high as second again.

7. TARANTO: tied for fourth spot last year (79-75)... features good bats in IPA RBI leader C Ryan Nelms (.292/46 HR/132 RBI), LF Derrick Damon (.290/22 HR), SS Chris Krog (.289/30 HR) and 3B Phil Wilson (.292/12 HR)... and good starters despite the small ballpark... Mack Wellman (18-9/3.15), Bill Walker (18-15/3.66) and Pablo Rivas (17-16/3.67)... probably one of the top four or five teams in the RU North... seventh seems too low for the Tars.

8. ANCONA: snapped an 8-year run in the division basement with a seventh place finish (64-90)... the Red Elephants have three solid ballplayers in RF Eldon Aldridge (.315/37 HR), CF Jotaro Suzuki (.287/28 HR) and LF Walter Glenn (.325), but little else in the batting order... very little in the way of pitching... the best of the lot are Darlon McDugan (16-13/4.59) and Hali Mikos (15-16/4.01).

2049 Ruthlandian North Preseason Predictions and Projected Statistics

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, April 5, 2049

3-TEAM TANGLE, WALESKA FAVORED OVER CLAXTON AND BELAIR BEACH
A three-team race is forecast in the Ruthlandian South this season with the Waleska Westerners overtaking the defending division champion Claxton Diamonds in a very tight duel... with Belair Beach not very far behind them.

1. WALESKA: the Westerners wound up in a tie for third last season (76-78), but were 16 games back of winning Claxton... this season they supposedly have better pitching than the high-scoring Diamonds and are picked to upend them this year... vets Jeff Woodruff (21-12/3.07) and Niles Nielsen (18-17/2.89) are a formidable twosome with over 300 career wins between them... plus rookie Trey Earnest and second-year hurler Lou Carlson (3-2/2.47) are expected to shine this year, giving Waleska a good chance to knock off powerful Claxton... the Westerners could use more offense... the best bats are limited in number and power... topping the team will be 1B James Ray Kee (.331/17 HR), LF Gene Stevenson (.302/15 HR) and CF Kenny Hardy (.292/15 HR).

2. CLAXTON: the Diamonds won't surrender the division title without a big fight... the offense looks even better this year with several newcomers to compliment the already-potent RF Whit Miley (.357/14 HR), superstar 1B Jojo DeLucca (.279/30 HR/126 RBI), CF Darryl Daniels (.295/12 HR) and 3B Rick Clayburne (.323/9 HR)... Claxton is darn good on the hill, too, with Abe Schiffman (21-13/2.80), Stan Yudash (20-9/3.48), Jared Lipton (11-6/2.71/9 saves), Steven Ellison (18-9/3.79/3 saves) and Gilbert Clagsdale (16-12/3.84) handling the starting roles... and Gary Haskin (5-8/2.95/16 saves) is a good in the bullpen... if the Waleska rookie starters fail to produce, the Diamonds will have an easy time repeating as the division champ... if the newcomers come through for the Westerners, it should be quite a race.

3. BELAIR BEACH: the Sunbirds were second to Claxton last year, 7 GB with a fine 85-69 record... they are a well-balanced club with good pitching and good bats... if rookie pitcher Jeffrey Verblen is as good as the scouts say, it'll be a tight three-team tussle in the RU South this season... he will be a part of the rotation with Ronnie Roy (15-11/3.38), Kevin Tolbert (17-15/3.42), Jose Munoz (17-14/3.56) and Glen Long (16-12/4.19)... the inconsistent bullpen is led by Tom Cook (8-10/3.65/22 saves), the IPA saves leader last season... Cook made 80 appearances... heading up the Sunbird attack is last year's RU MVP and Golden Bat winner, superstar 1B Jason Butler (.311/31 HR/121 RBI)... other top bats are SS Alvaro Abreu (.323/94 runs) and CF Norm Ellis (.280/28 HR)... good things are expected from rookie slugger and SS Kipp Caplinger, too.

4. GRAND CITY: the Cybercats were seventh last year (64-90)... improved pitching could move them up in the standings this year... they have capable starters in Lee Price (13-20/3.02) and Jimmy Engels (10-22/3.42), who suffer greatly from a lack of run support... superstar 1B Benny Hull (.303/48 HR/127 RBI) could have more help this season with highly-regarded rookie RF Harland Blankenship added to the lineup... Blankenship batted a lofty .389 in the Spring... the key to the season will be how well the number three and four starters, Kenny Morrow (13-21/4.05) and Joel Eaton (.13-16/4.02) do... the bullpen is set with Donald Denison (6-4/1.95/8 saves) as closer and rookie Stretch Hoyt projected to help him out quite well... the Cybercats have a decent shot at the first division this year.

5. VALKA: the Blackhawks were part of a four-way tie for third last year (76-68) with Waleska, Crystal Lake and St. John... they have credible pitching with starters Matvey Kazak (17-16/3.08), Tyrone Marte (14-14/3.64) and Royce Netterville (9-7/3.49/3 saves) and closer Ricky Cockburn (5-8/2.49/12 saves)... most of the Blackhawk offense comes from 1B Jess Evans (.321/31 HR) and C Aubrey Plews (.302/15 HR)... some help may come from rookie 2B Ronnie Nelson, who showed some promise in Spring training at the plate with a .316 BA.

6. ST. JOHN: the Crusaders were in that four-way tie for third last year (76-78)... they have a fairly good offense, but have lackluster pitching... Liam Spears (15-13/3.98), Zeke Yoder (15-17/3.89) and Frank Long (16-18/4.30) will have to improve for the Crusaders to move up in the standings... two rookie starters Stan Kallis and Teddy de Grom will get a chance to make the rotation... they both are fireballers with great stuff... the Crusaders hit well for average, paced by RF Cris Hershey (.320/11 HR/87 RBI), 1B Al Pace (.316/19 HR/77 RBI) and CF Skeets Blackstone (.283/11 HR/69 RBI)... St. John needs a couple more productive hitters to be a contender.

7. CRYSTAL LAKE: tied for third last season (76-78)... sports a very good hitting club, but lacks the longball... starting rotation is only so-so at best with Dave McCauley (18-14/4.21), Rick Lowe (16-13/4.04) and Jeth Limbrick (15-18/4.12)... rookie starter Haden Makowiak got high marks from the scouts and did well in the Spring... the Crusher standout closer Josh Crosby (16-4/2.51/15 saves) heads up a fine bullpen with a lot of help from Andy Crutcher (4-3/1.89/12 saves)... at the plate Crystal Lake has a plethora of .300 batters, sparked by LF Jed Murphee (.342/15 HR), star 1B Daryl Brady (.338/17 HR), 3B Ernie Addison (.332/2 HR), RF Paul Dillon (.329/8 HR), CF Jesse Walker (.307/1 HR), OF Kenny Gray (.302/17 HR) and 3B Jim Henley (.302/3 HR).

8. SAN DIMAS: the Rancheros have been bad the last two seasons, coming in seventh and eighth... they were only 55-99 last year with not much on the mound or in the batter's box... the most productive bats belonged to CF Enrique Orantez (.312/23 HR/85 RBI/105 runs), RF Denny Hendrix (.260/23 HR/87 RBI) and 2B Jimmy Woods (.305/16 HR)... Carl Covington (12-25/4.05) was the only decent starter... closer Kenny Robinson topped the IPA with 88 games, notched 18 saves with a 2.32 ERA, but was only 5-10 record-wise.

2049 Ruthlandian South Division Preseason Predictions and Projected Statistics

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, April 5, 2049

RATTLERS CHOICE IN RU EAST AGAIN
For the past 15 seasons the Sugar Valley Rattlers have been the class of the Ruthlandian East Division with five pennants, one Pro Cup trophy and no finish worst than third place. The baseball critics have made the Rattlers the favorite to take their fourth division crown in the last five seasons. However Sugar Valley will get some competition from Belle Plaine and Marston.

1. SUGAR VALLEY: the Rattlers have the best pitching and the best power in the RU East... Antonio Cedeno (22-15/2.31), Joe Snow (19-4/2.29/5 saves), Cullen Winslow (18-7/2.47) and Christopher Dunsberry (12-10/3.67) are one of the best starting fours in the IPA... and Domenico Renterias (13-9/2.35/10 saves) is one of the better closers... last year the Rattlers had nine players hit 10 or more homers, topped by CF Carl Ramsey (.252/38 HR/108 RBI), RF Jeff Harvey (.258/25 HR/73 RBI), 3B Roger Hobbs (.249/21 HR/75 RBI), OF Walt Hanson (.311/18 HR/77 RBI) and player-manager LF Bobby Gamble (.289/17 HR/71 RBI).

2. BELLE PLAINE: the Musketeers have risen from 8th to 5th to 3rd in the last three seasons and now they are poised to win it all... the Muskies have a high-octane attack, but are a little short on pitching... they can score runs in bunches with the likes of the IPA home run leader, Ruthlandian MVP and Golden Bat winner RF Lenny Buisson (.345/54 HR/125 RBI/121 runs), 1B Chuck Gregory (.326/39 HR/102 RBI/99 runs), C Nuke Borg (.303/21 HR/97 RBI) and CF Roy Myers (.296/19 HR/65 RBI) in the lineup... Phil Lacey (18-16/2.95) is the most effective starter... Henry Wade (20-6/3.97) is the top winner and Pedro Castro (16-11/4.36) and Joe-Joe Bouvier (12-12/4.18) benefit from the abundant offense... and Kurt Tandberg (8-7/2.40/13 saves) is a solid closer... to whip the Rattlers, Belle Plaine has to find at least two solid starters to go along with Lacey.

3. MARSTON: the Nine got the best of Sugar Valley two years ago and won the pennant, but they slumped to a fifth place tie last season (75-79)... not very likely to be a serious challenger this year... the offense is only fair and the pitching is just average... third place may be the best the Nine can do... Felix Delatte (14-14/3.37) is a quality hurler and the ace... not a lot after him... Jean-Noel Waldron (16-17/3.75) is good at times, but not consistently... and Thomas Stuart (15-17/4.67) is sometimes hot, but mostly cold... the best in the bullpen is Kiki Vuk (6-9/3.22/19 saves)... heading up the batting order are vet star SS Stan Mila (.304/14 HR/85 RBI), 2B Damien D'Amboise (.314/18 HR/92 RBI/97 runs) and 3B Gary Armitage (.255/24 HR/75 RBI/95 runs).

4. WYNNAMAC: the Sundowners have been a first division club for seven years in a row... they were a distant second last season... the Sundowners won the pennant in 2044, but haven't made a serious run otherwise... the W'Macs have an impressive starting rotation with James Duncan (16-15/2.47), Milt Easterling (17-10/2.89), Sammy Hayes (18-16/3.15) and Shirai Nakamura (16-7/3.15/2 saves)... the bullpen is solid, too, with Johnny Mitchell (11-4/1.92/13 saves)... the Sundowners need to score more runs to move up in the standings to contend with Sugar Valley... at 32, superstar CF Nioka Inkamara (.282/35 HR/101 RBI) is only threat in the batting order... 3B Duane Hudson (.302/6 HR/43 RBI/83 runs) helps out some... but there's very little after them... the solid staff could get them as high as second place.

5. COLD CREEK: the Catamounts were fourth in 2048 (76-78)... since capturing three straight division titles from 2039 to 2041, the Cats have slipped to just a run-of-the-mill ballclub with a pretty good offense, but not much in the way of pitching... the offense can score runs with 2B Milt Swallow (.313/36 HR/103 RBI), 3B Joe Cochrane (.288/15 HR/92 RBI), RF Kinnojo Matsuzaki (.307/9 HR/57 RBI/85 runs), CF Albie Forbush (.319/14 HR/76 RBI) and LF Bud McClain (.282/17 HR/58 RBI/82 runs)... vet star Rob Hutchins (23-9/2.66) is a solid number one in the rotation with a good number two Andres Padilla (15-8/3.20)... Sammy Wright (8-6/3.44) is a quality number three, but missed most of last season with an injury... pitching has got to get better for Cold Creek to thrive in the pennant race... the return of a healthy Wright would really help the CC' Cats.

6. BEECHWOOD: the Bobcats are just a mediocre team and have been that way for the past three years with finishes in the sixth spot, eighth spot and last year in seventh place... Jimmy Herman (15-20/3.19) and Tommy Banks (14-10/4.12) are decent starters, while Terry Collins (8-1/2.24/12 saves) had a strong season in the bullpen... and got some help from Freddy Manale (4-3/3.35/15 saves)... Beechwood hasn't improved over last year... the offense is still almost non-existent... 2B Mike Matthews (.262/11 HR/50 RBI/103 runs) had the top average among the regulars, just .262... vet star 1B Eddie Wilson (.249/23 HR/63 RBI) topped the team in homers with 23, but is slowing down at age 35... sadly, they are the best of the bats.

7. EASTSHORE: the Elegants finished sixth the last two years with the same record (75-79) with little offense and pretty good pitching... Jimmy Phelps (21-14/3.53) and Ferrell Greelaw (16-16/3.42) are both dependable starters, along with Malcolm Tansbury (11-18/3.68)... but it's in the bullpen that Eastshore excels with Jody Friday (7-5/2.28/13 saves) and Trent Niven (10-5/1.76/14 saves)... they make quite a relief tandem... Friday won the Ruthlandian Golden Arm Award in 2047, making him the first reliever to do so... RF Troy McFarland (.259/33 HR/105 RBI) and LF Bevan Shuler (.269/12 HR/63 RBI/96 runs) pretty much carry the offense, at least, what there is of one.

8. ELNORA: the All-Stars have been near the bottom of the Ruthlandian East the last two years, coming in seventh (73-81) and last (67-87)... and it looks like another cellar-dwelling season... the aging offense is fairly good, but the pitching is lousy... Rod Lucas (13-20/3.64) is the ace of the staff... and Jamie Pananga (9-6/2.27/12 saves) is a solid closer... the scouts are high on rookie starter Boo Blair, so there are some good signs on the horizon... Elnora has several pretty good bats in 37-year-old 1B Joey Hagburn (.320/10 HR/80 RBI), LF Enos Conrad (.322/13 HR/74 RBI), 36-year-old star C Cannon Johnson (.276/16 HR/69 RBI), 2B Marley Macomber (.280/17 HR/67 RBI/91 runs) and CF Preston Davies (.285/19 HR/64 RBI).

2049 Ruthlandian East Preseason Predictions and Projected Statistics

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, April 5, 2049

FC 'JACKS WILL WIN AGAIN IN RU WEST
Success has been a long time coming for the Forest City Lumberjacks. It was 46 years between playoff appearances. Now they might just come in bunches. The oddsmakers are picking the 'Jacks to repeat in the Ruthlandian West, but it won't be an easy task. They predict that the Rocky Rapids Snappers and the Middlefield Roosters will make it hard for Forest City to win back-to-back division titles. The oddsmakers have made it a toss-up between those three clubs.

1. FOREST CITY: Last year the Lumberjacks (92-62) won the RU West with brilliant pitching... they set a new IPA record with a ridiculously low 2.41 team ERA, besting Beechwood's old mark of 2.57 posted in 2026... and the entire staff is back and ready to go again... and the weak bats are back again, too... the Lumberjacks are hoping two rookie sluggers, 1B D. J. Ewell and RF Bum Kelso might help put more runs on the scoreboard for their anemic offense... Kelso is the younger brother of famed longballer David Kelso of the Red Bluff Red Sox, who has totaled 579 homers in his illustrious career... both rooks fared well in Spring training, showing good potential... the starting five are back again for another run: Rusty Howard (21-12/1.65), who led the IPA in ERA is still the ace, but he has a lot of help from Omar Cordero (21-8/2.31), John McKee (18-15/2.63), Walter Gibbons (15-11/2.83/2 saves) and Richie Meyers (10-7/2.16/13 saves)... the Lumberjack lineup doesn't have any threat at all from the returnees... last year's leaders were C Bob Brisdon (.292/13 HR/63 RBI), LF Otto Glintmeyer (.293/11 HR/65 RBI) and SS Timmy Tarbell (.286/13 HR/56 RBI)... not any good numbers among them.

2. ROCKY RAPIDS: the Snappers were a distant third last season at 79-75... they have impressive pitching with three fine starters: Buster Noland (21-16/2.46), Jamie Taylor (17-16/2.78) and Dirk Halstad (17-14/3.51)... the fourth starter Kevin Dillard (14-13/4.14) is inconsistent, but capable at times... Taylor was the RU MVP and Golden Arm just three years ago... the Snappers have a decent offense with star 2B Marty Featherstone (.302/35 HR/100 RBI/93 runs), 1B Masaharu Kawasaki (.276/28 HR/104 RBI/80 runs), C Carney Kirkpatrick (.300/22 HR/89 RBI) and 3B Duncan Musselwhite (.279/5 HR/48 RBI/96 runs)... Rocky Rapids could give Forest City a good run for the pennant with its solid pitching and hitting.

3. MIDDLEFIELD: last year was not a good one for the Roosters... they slipped from division champ (95-59) to fifth place (73-81), a drastic shock... their great pitching went south last season... only Carroll Collier (21-11/2.18) of the starting four had a good year... it was subpar for James Long (16-17/3.50) and Larry Wheelhouse (15-17/3.52), who both chalked up 20 wins in 2047... Middlefield should be right back up there in contention if Long and Wheelhouse return to form... batting-wise the Roosters don't hit much for average, but they can go deep... six regulars each hit more than 20 homers last year, led by CF Norman Antonioni (.239/37 HR/72 RBI), RF Sidney Conner (.263/35 HR/86 RBI), CF Russell Martin (.274/30 HR/84 RBI/94 runs), 1B Cliff Patterson (.287/29 HR/80 RBI), 2B Ike Gary (.241/26 HR/76 RBI/91 runs) and SS Jimmy Beach (.258/20/50 RBI).

4. STONER: the Stars wound up seventh the last two seasons with identical 64-90 records... it's been a decade since they were pennant contenders... according to the baseball pollsters they might edge into the first division of the RU West this year... the Stars have a group of solid starters in Fred Gunn (14-13/2.80), Billy Horton (14-13/3.28), Rip Martin (5-7/2.94/5 saves), Took Noonan (10-14/3.44/2 saves) and Brian Cole (13-18/3.55)... add rookie southpaw Jayson Mannon into the mix and you have the making of a fine mound staff... Mannon has stood out in the Spring... Stoner needs help in the bullpen... they also really need some help at the plate... the offense is pathetic with no legitimate threats in the lineup... the best of the lot are RF Emmett Tread (.267/14 HR/79 RBI/72 runs) and 3B Ralph Sackett (.255/12 HR/74 RBI).

5. COLFAX: the Blasters have not made the postseason since 2042 and have been housed in the second division all those years except for last year when they wound up 77-77 in fourth place... Colfax is only so-so on the hill and at the plate... Dante Breeland (14-16/3.13) is the most effective...Rollie Abbott (16-9/3.78/10 saves) and Jorgen Krogstad (15-12/3.71) were the top winners... the bullpen needs help... Abbott was the best reliever, but was moved into a starting slot at mid-year... the Blasters have only one player that lives up to their nickname... C Darrell Dillon (.280/32 HR/106 RBI/83 runs) is a solid hitter with good power... the only other good hitter in the batting order is LF Robb Maddux (.309/14 HR/63 RBI/86 runs).

6. SLIGO: the Rovers had their best year in a decade last season, coming in a distant second to Forest City with an 82-72 mark (10 GB)... Sligo has a good starting rotation with Mickey Walsh (21-13/2.24), Randall Steele (20-14/2.78), Art Hacker (17-13/3.79) and Freddy Avery (14-15/3.55)... they also have a good closer in Buzz Bumgartner (5-5/2.45/10 saves)... but the Rovers are plain bad offensively... RF Sidney Elmore (.250/27 HR/80 RBI/81 runs) and 1B Denny Simmons (.297/7 HR/57 RBI/68 runs) provide most of the offense.

7. VOLUSIA: the Vigilantes were second two years ago (84-70), but dipped to 70-84 into the sixth spot in the standings last season as the offense took a plunge... the mound corps is only fair... the starting rotation consists of Will Thompson (18-19/3.54), Mateus Branco (14-12/3.89), Drew Selby (12-18/3.22) and Casimiro Ramires (13-17/3.72)... the V's have a good bullpen with Bill Nussbaum (6-2/2.48/2 saves) and Afonso Tavora (2-2/2.73/5 saves)... the bats were only fair with CF Lonny Womack (.271/29 HR/84 RBI/83 runs), C George Ruffino (.273/26 HR/61 RBI/72 runs), 1B Kris Wilson (.298/21 HR/75 RBI/66 runs) and 2B Cazzie Carvalho (.283/13 HR/60 RBI/68 runs).

8. FORT BENTON: the Defenders were bad last year, ending up in the cellar (55-99), but look to be even worst this season... five times in the last seven seasons they have been a last place team... only one time in the club's history has it made the playoffs... that was back in 2037... it'll be more of the same this year and for several years to come... the Defenders don't hit well and they don't pitch well... the only thing they do very well is lose... Dick Shepard (14-21/3.55) is the only competent starter... and Darius Kimberly (9-9/2.78/15 saves) is a pretty good closer... nothing much in the lineup... 1B Todd Higginbotham (.277/19 HR/82 RBI/61 runs) was the club leader in everything... no one else came close to his numbers... Fort Benton fans don't have much to look forward to this season.

2049 Ruthlandian West Preseason Predictions and Projected Statistics

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, April 5, 2049

RASCALS WILL REPEAT IN TU NORTH
The White River Rascals easily won the Tycobbian North Division last year and is forecast to win it again in even easier fashion. It will be pretty much a race for second place this season among five teams. Luxora is the second choice of the experts in the preseason polls with Hartsdale ranked number three in the standings. Ranked fourth is Mahaska and Oxford with Fairfax slated for the sixth spot. North Hills and Blue Lake will fight it out to stay out of the basement.

1. WHITE RIVER: the Rascals won handily last year (94-60) and are slated to do even better this year... the three prime starters are Butch Slattery (20-10/2.87), Nicky Palmer (18-15/2.89) and Clem Warren (18-14/2.98) with vet J. C. Hudson (10-3/3.45) handling the fourth spot in the rotation... the Rascals could use some help in the bullpen... rookie Keil Trickett showed well in Spring training and may earn a spot in the relief corps... the White River attack features two serious threats in superstar LF Billy Joe Hickman (.282/42 HR/126 RBI) and TU Rookie of the Year 1B Ruben Reaves (.311/35 HR/98 RBI/118 runs)... the team can score runs.

2. LUXORA: the Zorros have the hitting and a capable staff, but they were third last season (82-72) and 12 GB in the pennant race... Les Liebert (18-11/3.01) is the ace with help from Joao Damaso (14-12/3.15), Wendell Hasbro (13-8/3.15/11 saves) and Lorenzo Alonso (13-11/3.60)... the top bats are LF Emil Pasek (.300/22 HR/65 RBI/89 runs), 3B Tiago Chaves (.272/27 HR/94 RBI/89 runs), SS Eddie Burnett (.308/12 HR/71 RBI/79 runs) and 2B Joel Poche (.273/14 HR/79 RBI/77 runs)... young 23-year-old 1B Tuff McLendon (.379/10 HR/39 RBI/31 runs) did quite well with a .379 BA in 63 games last year and much is expected of him this season.

3. HARTSDALE: the Hellcats were a distant second to White River last year (83-71), trailing by 11 games, which was their worst showing in five years... the hitting is solid as a rock with good power, while the pitching is just fair... leading the Hellcat attack are LF Darrell Nesbitt (.308/14 HR/67 RBI/106 runs), 3B Marv Shaw (.309/29 HR/91 RBI/73 runs), C Kenton Carmichael (.280/25 HR/91 RBI/90 runs) and RF Emilian Burgess (.284/12 HR/65 RBI/84 runs)... on the hill veterans Gil Younger (21-13/3.79) and Perry Givens (19-14/3.53) are the top winners... Younger was the Tycobbian MVP in 2046 when the Hellcats won the Pro Cup... to move up in the standings and compete with White River, Hartsdale needs help from the other three starters... a young portsider Roy Krieger has shown promise this year in the Spring and could help out... the bullpen is in good hands with vet closer Alfonso Cervera (7-7/1.73/20 saves).

4. OXFORD: the Red Caps long a division also-ran has impressed the experts this year and has been picked to finish fourth... last year they were 71-83 and tied for last in the TU North with North Hills, 23 games off the pace... the Red Caps haven't made the postseason since the early days of the IPA, last appeared in 2007, when they won their only Pro Cup... Oxford has three qualtiy starters in Rudy Mellancamp (17-17/2.71), Lou Ellison (17-20/3.17) and Ralph Mosby (17-15/3.81)... rookies Buster Belzer and Lorenzo Frampton could be a big help in the bullpen... the offense could be better... most of it is provided by CF Kevin Carter with 29 HRs and 95 RBIs, but he hit only .247... 3B Rickey Clayton led the club with a .328 BA, while hitting 21 HRs, driving in 69 runs and scoring 81 times... 2B Dan Zalewski chipped in a .277 BA, 12 HRs, 57 RBIs and scored 87 runs.

5. MAHASKA: the Haymakers (79-75) tied for fourth with Blue Lake in 2048, ending up 15 games behind the division winner... they had finished last the previous five seasons... Mahaska hasn't been in the playoffs for over two decades... mound talent is spotty... left-hander Boyd Hackman (17-6/3.38/1 save) had a very good rookie season... Terry Mazurek (17-15/3.91) had a fairly good year... not much after them on the hill... the top bats were C James Boswell (.253/39 HR/97 RBI), 1B Roger Lewis (.282/28 HR/75 RBI) and 3B Goose Fulton (.287/24 HR/84 RBI/92 runs)... 14-year veteran SS Rocco Bertara (.329/13 HR/48 RBI/53 runs) has been a fine defender over the years and a consistent hitter... he led the club with a .329 BA.

6. NORTH HILLS: the Hawks tied with Oxford for last place last year... both sported 71-83 marks and wound up 23 games out of first... after a great run of 11 pennants in 12 years and four Pro Cups, the Hawks have steadily declined, going from third in 2046 (81-73) to fifth in 2047 (74-80) to the TU North cellar in 2048... only two members of the Glory Years remain... 36-year-old Tony Mack, who was 16-16 this past year with a 3.70 ERA... career-wise he is 244-155 with a fine 3.03 ERA... SS Tommy Vavas (.271/19 HR/65 RBI/85 runs) is still doing a good job at age 36... he is a lifetime .282 batter with 215 homers, 2610 hits, 1464 runs and 1006 RBIs... the club leaders this year were CF Ryan Webbe (.289/33 HR/99 RBI/86 runs) and RF Chuck Coltharpe (.263/28 HR/73 RBI/91 runs)... rookie Carver Dillon looked good in the bullpen last year with a 9-4 record, 3.19 ERA and 14 saves... another rookie reliever DeWitt Dobkins did well this Spring and has earned a spot in the bullpen, too.

7. FAIRFAX: the Frogs broke even at 77-77 last year, but only good enough for sixth place... they might not be as good this year... pitching is only fair with starters Harold Dorman (16-14/3.75), Glenn Cook (13-13/3.75) and Shaun O'Riley (11-17/3.76)... the bats are strong with veteran stars C Scott Courtney (.333/28 HR/99 RBI/83 runs) and 2B John Velasco (.294/20 HR/78 RBI/100 runs)... Velasco is a marvel, still playing good defense, hitting very well and running well at age 42... RF Brad Johnson (.298/9 HR/91 RBI), 3B K. J. Garvie (.288/14 HR/82 RBI) and LF Terrence Yeoman (.289/10 HR/74 RBI) have also chipped in some valuable offense... the Frogs haven't been to the postseason since 2033... not likely to happen this year either.

8. BLUE LAKE: the Blue Sox were fourth last season (79-75), tied with Mahaska and 15 games behind first place White River... the pitching is not very good, but the offense is fairly good with some power... the best starters are Greg Mortimer (18-15/3.86) and 19-year-old Dookie Denham (12-9/3.88), who showed good potential in his first season... ace Sol Mayes (13-18/4.54) had an off-year at age 33... vet closer Razzy Richmond (9-8/3.06/16 saves) does a fair job in the bullpen... heading up the batting order are 1B Mel Morrison (.290/26 HR/97 RBI), C Juan Luis Barcelona (.292/17 HR/69 RBI/95 runs), SS Rick Bridges (.276/24 HR/81 RBI/72 runs) and CF Raddy Pajek (.303/11 HR/50 RBI/78 runs)... in 115 games rookie 1B Burl Baugh tied Morrison for the home-run lead with 26 and batted in 79 runs, but hit only .241.

2049 Tycobbian North Preseason Predictions and Projected Statistics

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, April 5, 2049

SAN ALEJO PICKED OVER TURON IN CLOSE TU SOUTH
The Southport Sun Sox have really shined with six Tycobbian South pennants and two Pro Cup trophies in the last seven seasons, but they have been slightly shunned by the baseball gurus this year. San Alejo and Turon are picked to finish ahead of the Sun Sox. The Montaneros are favored to edge the Typhoons in a very tight race with Southport coming in a distant third. The Sun Sox and the Cape Coral Hurricanes will duke it out for third place according to the preseason prognosticators.

1. SAN ALEJO: the Monties have finished in the first division for 12 consecutive seasons, but the last pennant was in 2037... last year they came in third with an 87-67 record... San Alejo has quality starters and can score runs... top hurlers are last year's TU Golden Arm honoree Will McKinney (22-12/2.31) and Matt Bell (19-14/2.57), who won it in 2045 and 2047... one weakness: the Montaneros could use some help in the bullpen... providing the offense will be star CF Paulo Teixeira (.311/37 HR/99 RBI/115 runs), last year's rookie standout RF Erik Landau (.300/3 HR/43 RBI/102 runs), LF Royce Grantham (.275/37 HR/113 RBI/90 runs), 1B Sal McAlister (.272/10 HR/82 RBI/81 runs) and last year's rookie SS Benito Clemente (.273/6 HR/59 RBI/91 runs).

2. TURON: the Typhoons have improved each season since 2045, rising up from 8th to 4th to 3rd to 2nd... now they are ready to take it all... Turon has a really good offense with RF Guido Gervasio (.315/26 HR/95 RBI/94 runs), star 2B C. C. Kingsford (.302/33 HR/98 RBI/81 runs), SS Rafer Robertson (.275/27 HR/90 RBI/80 runs), 3B Al Salisbury (.287/23 HR/73 RBI/96 runs) and 1B Buford Cloninger (.282/34/83/82)... the Typhoons have two solid starters in Tom Fuller (23-14/3.20) and vet Nate Scottsdale (17-16/3.17), but will need improvement from number three, four and five, Izzy Beasley (19-16/3.96), Mel Hansford (9-5/4.09/10 saves) and Clayton Petit (14-10/4.64) to overtake San Alejo.

3. SOUTHPORT: the Sun Sox are coming off a great 101-win season, but were not picked to repeat as division champ... perhaps age is catching up with them... still they have two strong starters in superstars Billy Hoover (16-7/2.72) and Johnny Swanson (22-11/2.41)... along with two reliables in Gordon Forbes (26-10/3.64) and Brandon Delmore (21-10/3.49)... there's quality in the bullpen with Troy Hill (7-3/2.18/18 saves) and Hal Combs (4-7/3.23/8 saves)... the Sun Sox have a impressive bunch of hitters with 1B Eddy Douglas (.340/26 HR/93 RBI/88 runs), last year's standout rookie RF Tony Patrano (.280/32 HR/92 RBI/85 runs), C Vasilis Vlachos (.285/19 HR/94 RBI/81 runs), 2B Ricky Whitaker (.319/10 HR/87 RBI/72 runs), 3B Craig Glennon (.267/21 HR/82 RBI/71 runs) and CF Barney Lewis (.247/25 HR/62 RBI/60 runs)... with talent like this, it hard not to see Southport right up there with San Alejo and Turon.

4. CAPE CORAL: the Hurricanes wound up fifth last year with a 74-80 mark (27 GB)... in an effort to move up in the standings they traded one of their best batters RF Rikky Van Dalen to LaClaire for super closer Terry Baird, a trade that didn't sit well with the fans... Van Dalen is 32, Golden Bat winner and MVP and a career .321 hitter, while Baird is 35 with 256 saves, 101-79 record and a 2.25 ERA... the 'Canes have a high-powered attack, but have always been hampered on the hill... Baird should make starters Benton McCall (18-19/4.60) Stacy Boyle (12-16/3.92) and Rik De Meester (12-6/3.28) better... the offense is still there with superstar 1B Stan Ferguson (.344/27 HR/90 RBI), superstar LF William Snyder (.305/25 HR/65 RBI), CF Teddy Plimpton (.298/21 HR/74 RBI/81 runs), SS Scotty Jackson (.264/25 HR/74 RBI/71 runs) and 3B Kent Mantle (.259/24/63 RBI).

5. GINZA: the Ninjas are a middle-of-the-road club, pretty much just average, but they play in the toughest division in the IPA... Ginza was fourth last year with an 82-72 record (19 GB)... for the four previous seasons they came in fifth, but with good records... 2031 was the last time the Ninjas made the playoffs... Charley Waskins (22-14/3.38) and Tokuji Takahara (20-12/3.98) both won 20 games, though Carlos Del Toro (13-18/3.09) was the most effective starter... the top reliever Timmy Hickens (10-5/2.60/17 saves) is a good one... Ginza suffers at the plate... 3B Jiro Yamamura (.310/9 HR/35 RBI/64 runs) and SS Kuzuki Tamura (.304/17 HR/71 RBI/99 runs) are the top contact hitters, while superstar Sogo Takagi (.278/26 HR/83 RBI/94 runs) and C Whip Harrell (.248/29 HR/70 RBI) supply the power.

6. SUMMERLAND: the Sunsets were sixth a year ago with a 71-83 mark (30 GB)... since taking the division flag in 2046 with great pitching, they have finished in sixth place in the standings... now the pitching is just pretty good and the run-scoring is modest... former standouts Jayson Hallstrom (15-19/3.50), Billy King (16-19/3.82) and Dutch De Boer (14-17/3.94) might be showing their ages now... De Boer is 38 and King 36... rookie starter Lanny Meredith and reliever Dicky Towers might help some... they showed progress in Spring training... the only dependable bats are 3B Jip Maas (.284/19 HR/80 RBI/74 runs), RF Rick Mayes (.275/23 HR/64 RBI/94 runs), LF Tony Vargas (.305/4 HR/50 RBI/77 runs) and 2B Alex Abbotson (.277/19 HR/75 RBI/82 runs).

6. COLCHESTER: the Elites wound up deep in the TU South cellar last year with a terrible 59-95 mark (42 GB)... they haven't been in the first division for 12 successive seasons, winding up sixth or worse each year... the last playoff appearance was in 2036... the Elites have a weak staff and poor bats... Denzel Durand (15-13/3.46) was the only reliable starter and Haden Fraser (5-5/2.28/13 saves) the only reliable reliever last year... young 1B Claude Garson put up some very fine numbers in his second year in the league at age 26... Garson walloped 44 out of the park, hit .295 and drove in 93 runs... he got a little help from 3B Jasper Matthews with 25 HRs and 79 RBIs, but he batted only .239... rookie RF Eldon McLennan showed well during the spring and should contribute this season.

8. ARROYO GRANDE: the Suns have been awful for 15 years, usually finishing near the bottom... 2049 looks like another bad year... they were seventh last season with a 65-89 record (36 GB)... Anthony Lombardi (19-16/3.80) led the team in wins... Enrique Lopez (14-20/3.57) had the best ERA... SS Russell Taylor (.290/22 HR/75 RBI/98 runs) and 1B Vince Kinson (.288/27/73 RBI) are the most reliable bats in the lineup... the future is not bright in Arroyo Grande.

2049 Tycobbian South Preseason Predictions and Projected Statistics

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, April 5, 2049

BLAZERS TOP CHOICE IN TU EAST
If the baseball pollsters get it right this year, the Hillsboro Blazers will end a 48-year postseason famine. Hillsboro is the top choice to win the Tycobbian East this season. Should it happen, it will be the first time in the Blazers' history that they make the playoffs. They are the only team in the IPA that has never played in the postseason. A five-team race is predicted between Hillsboro, Tuckanarra, last year's champ High Mesa, South Fork and Midway... and Red Bluff shouldn't be counted out, either.

1. HILLSBORO: the Blazers finished sixth last season with a 77-77 record (22 GB)... the closest Hillsboro has ever come to winning a pennant was 2020 and 2043 when they came within two games of the the division title... the Blazers have outstanding pitching, but atrocious hitting... Steve Cooper (23-15/3.03) and Valdon Riley (16-12/3.44) were the best starters, though Jamie Lee Bradley (10-23/2.81) had the best ERA... Robby Lee Stillwell (13-10/3.49) is another quality arm on the staff... Clay Spencer (5-8/2.93/13 saves) is the best reliever... rookie Scott Cole looks like another good addition to the pitching corps... the Blazers hit very poorly for average, but do possess some punch in the lineup with LF Jurrien Bellini (.250/41 HR/96 RBI/92 runs), CF Rick Willis (.256/30 HR/79 RBI/108 runs) and 1B Ernie Moxley (.220/31 HR/92 RBI/69 runs).

2. TUCKANARRA: the Blue Jays have not appeared in the postseason since 2038, but they do have a pretty fair shot this season... they were fourth last year (80-74), 19 games back of High Mesa... the Bluebirds have pretty good pitching and fair hitting... Dickie Pittman (21-13/3.46) and Ozzie Leslie (17-16/2.70) are a good starting duo... if rookie southpaw Alfie Rutledge comes through, the Tucks could be a serious challenger... only one batter poses much of a threat and he's a good one... 1B Rodger Parsons hit .351 last year, third best in the IPA after Torek Abamczyk of Valmara and Whit Miley of Claxton... Abramczyk batted .361 and Miley .357... Parsons led the club with 20 homers, 77 RBIs and 85 runs... not much in the lineup except for Parsons.

3. HIGH MESA: after going almost five decades without a playoff appearance, the Cowboys finally won the TU East crown last year in a runaway with a 99-55... they beat runner-ups Red Bluff and Midway by 18 games... the team returns intact and should still be a serious contender... the starting four are all back: Lloyd Armstrong (22-1/2.99), Lucius Quarles (17-11/2.55), Tee Bo Templet (20-11/4.02) and Steve Tolan (18-10/4.09)... and the bullpen is in solid hands with William Morris (10-4/2.88/16 saves) and Dickie Sternfeld (8-6/2.62/5 saves)... four rookies could help out this season: CF Morgan McGaha, 3B Dan McQueen, LF Danny Babcock and 1B Benny Brighton... returning club leaders are 1B Johnny Tallis (.260/43 HR/108 RBI/77 runs), 2B Clifford Coleman (.268/26 HR/93 RBI/82 runs) and RF Wayne Kilpatrick (.278/20 HR/77 RBI/67 runs).

4. SOUTH FORK: the Stallions were fifth in 2048 with a 78-76 mark (21 GB), but his year they may be in the thick of things... they won the pennant three years in a row from 2041 to 2043, capturing their second Pro Cup in 2042... the starters are only fair and the bullpen is weak... Jay Murphy (20-12/3.46) is the ace with some help from Big Murph McAlister (8-7/2.49/3 saves), who moves back into a starting role after bullpen duty for most of last year... Kip Cleaver (14-9/3.11/2 saves) is a solid number three... heading up the batting order are CF Jack Boswell (.284/36 HR/103 RBI/120 runs) and SS Pete Arnold (.330/22 HR/65 RBI/128 runs)... C Rudy Maroney chipped in 18 HRs and 84 RBIs, but batted just .245... the Stallions really need a few more productive bats to get serious in the pennant chase.

4. MIDWAY: the Wolves had a good rebound season last year coming in tied with Red Bluff with an 81-73 record (18 GB)... it's been over 20 years since they made the playoffs... Midway has a fair mound staff and solid hitters... the top guns are LF Justin Morrison (.345/24 HR/94 RBI/89 runs), RF Alfie Kincade (.294/23 HR/86 RBI/78 runs), CF Hector Pena (.285/21 HR/70 RBIs 106 runs), C Martin Rogers (.287/21 HR/73 RBI/60 runs) and 2B Kax Clark (.280/5 HR/68 RBI/80 runs)... two rookies have looked good at first base in the Spring: Ted McDuffy and Sting Ketteridge... the top staffers are Craig Armstrong (23-11/3.60) and Charlie Chase (15-21/3.74)... other starters are Jeff Chandler (16-18/4.44) and Glenn Davis (14-20/4.41), who both benefited greatly from the fine offense... Midway has a strong closer in Rocket Rhodes (7-3/1.56/17 saves).

6. Red Bluff: the Red Sox won the division crown in four of the last five seasons, winding up a distant second last year with an 81-73 (18 GB) and tied with the Midway Wolves... the Red Sox feature a highly-touted attack that specializes in homers... they led the IPA last year with 242... but they also have fairly good starting pitching... though they are an aging ballclub, Red Bluff is still too good to finish sixth this year... they will be up with the leaders at season's end... the Red Bluff boomers are 1B Josh Stevens (.266/43 HR/87 RBI/78 runs), RF David Kelso (.302/41 HR/104 RBI/79 runs), 2B Fran Blanchard (.290/34 HR/80 RBI/101 runs), SS Leemon O'Donovan (.285/31 HR/80 RBI/90 runs), CF Ike Sweetwater (.268/26 HR/60 RBI/73 runs) and Jesse Shaw (.279/23 HR/74 RBI/57 runs)... the mound staff is good enough, led by superstar starter Jud Cox (20-14/2.51), Mickey Rosen (18-10/3.73), George Reynolds (14-14/3.75) and Sonny Wheat (16-15/3.67)... the bullpen is fairly good, but closer Carson Jamara (6-12/3.86/17 saves) runs hot-and-cold.

7. OZARKA: the Naturals wound up seventh... it was another bad year... 69-85 (30 GB)... the Nats haven't made the playoffs in a decade... it was the third straight season they finished near the bottom... Ozarka has two good starters in Jerald Kidman (18-12/3.06) and Carl Hemus (16-19/3.04)... in the bullpen Rob Land (5-6/3.07/14 saves), Jim Greene (3-4/2.31/7 saves) and Gene White (4-3/2.83/7 saves) are pretty good... what the Naturals need is offense... C Paul Beasley (.323/20 HR/80 RBI/70 runs) and 3B Artie Clayton (.221/37 HR/93 RBI/71 runs) provide most of the runs... not much talent at the plate after them.

8. EAST POINT: the Panthers won the division in 2039, but have been really bad ever since, usually finishing seventh or eighth... last year was a dismal 57-97 (42 GB)... the fans don't have much to cheer for in East Point... Ralph Wallace (13-17/3.76) is their best hurler, but is just a so-so starter... C Kenny Bailey (.287/26 HR/88 RBI) and 1B Jack Gorham (.304/26 HR/75 RBI) are the only batting threats... times will continue to be hard for the Panthers.

2049 Tycobbian South Preseason Predictions and Projected Statistics

A special thanks to Honorable Pawn for being such a faithful follower of the IPA.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, April 5, 2049

IPA CHAMP REDS ROLL ON IN TU WEST
Last season the Rolling Hills Reds not only put an end to a 15-year postseason drought, but they went all the way and captured their third Pro Cup. So this year the Reds have dreams of repeating in the Tycobbian West and getting another crack at the IPA title. Rolling Hills was ranked first the preseason poll by the baseball experts in the Islands and is forecast to have an easy time of it. In a surprise Bay St. Clair was the second choice, Kenwood third and Chicopee fourth.

1. ROLLING HILLS: the Reds absolutely dominated the TU West last year, winning by 14 games and chalking up a 95-59 record and then rolled through the Pro Cup playoffs, too, with a 12-2 record... they did it with impressive pitching from Matthew Christianson (22-11/2.19) and Johnny Howard (18-12/2.60)... number three and number four Steve Adams (17-11/3.59) and Marty Phillips (14-14/3.76) were reliable, too... and the bullpen was manned well by Benny Young (9-5/2.37/15 saves)... the Reds blistered the ball, sparked by RF Jimbo Foxx (.247/37/100/75), 1B Darwin Tard (.294/30/94/100), LF Orin Phillips (.300/24/95/87) and rookie SS Dustin Thibodeau (.322/18/65/101)... Foxx posted great numbers, but missed one-fourth of the regular season and all of the playoffs... the offense could be improved with the addition or rookie 3B Taddy McKeown, who hit well in the Spring games.

2. BAY ST. CLAIR: the Buccaneers have been bad for 13 consecutive seasons, a hapless second-division club... it's been over 20 years since they won a pennant... last year the Bucs were 57-97 and in the TU West basement... a pretty bad ballclub... desperate times demand desperate action... so the BSC management had a fire sale and got rid of almost everybody... there are 17 newcomers on the roster... 4 of them pitchers... and it seemed to have worked... suddenly the press is picking them to jump up to second place in the standings... 2B Reece Somerset (.259/25/79/68) was one of the few holdover regulars... and Dion Hawkins (14-14/3.20), one of the few hurlers retained... look for rookie Scotty Hedwall to move into the starting rotation and Cadillac Bogart, Ian Abercrombie and Steve Swanwick to take charge of the bullpen... look for rookies CF Stan Kovalenko, SS Dwayne Mungle, OF Chucker McConnell, 3B Trace Burney, OF Coy Champion, 3B Hisashi Yamaguchi and 2B Izzy Ritter to give Bay St. Clair fans something to cheer about.

3. KENWOOD: the Wildcats had their run of six division titles in seven years broken by Rolling Hills... they came in second with an 81-73 mark (14 GB)... age could be creeping up on them... a drop in pitching hurt them last season... Kenwood has a solid set of starters headed up by Rusty Bradford (20-16/3.00) and Tommy Carter (18-14/2.99)... to shore up the rotation 38-year-old Freddy Gooch (7-5/3.08/17 saves) has been moved back into a starting role... Milt Cochrane (16-16/3.85) a decent starter rounds out the staff... Mike Jones (1-2/2.69/11 saves) will anchor the bullpen... pacing the offense will be last year Tycobbian MVP and Golden Bat winner C Corky DiNozzo, who had a marvelous season with a .335 BA, 52 homers, 126 RBIs and 104 runs... star IF Country Crowder was the only other reliable threat... he batted .346 with 3 HRs, 51 RBIs and 74 runs... RF Billy Nix hit 26 homers and drove in 51 runs, but hit only .242... rookie infielders SS Errol Phelps and 2B Jace McFalls could end up regulars... they looked good in Spring training.

4. CHICOPEE: the Braves were fourth last year for the second year in a row with a 74-80 record (21 GB), down from the year before when they were 77-77 (8 GB)... pitching was not as good... expect some improvement... rookie Sharlon Barbour looks like the real thing... he will join some pretty good arms in Paul Foster (14-8/2.39), Tony Dazzi (17-20/3.39) and Tom Chambers (14-10/3.84) in the rotation... the club leaders at the plate are 1B Sam Patrick (.308/43/104/76), CF Marty Hogart (.324/19/72/85) and 3B Ken Smith (.341/8/77/78)... they could get some help from rookies OF Johnny Helwig and SS Ethan Mandell, who really showed well in the Spring.

5. DENTON CITY: the Redbirds finished third last season, 18 games behind champ Rolling Hills with a 79-75 record... their last playoff appearance was in 2040... but they are on the rise in recent seasons, moving up from 8th to 5th to 3rd... the Redbirds hit the ball well, led by superstar 1B Wayman Stetson (.295/40/95/96), LF Frankie Montgomery (.322/23/97/65), RF Pete Doyle (.319/19/66/77) and CF Jimmy Jay Ferguson (.280/12/71/58)... the press has marked rookie RF Trace Marcum for stardom... he had an excellent Spring... not great with glove, but he can sure hit... the mound staff has some fine additions, too... Flash Stringfellow and Johnny Wingate will join Harry Elliott (19-16/3.09) and Mel Coley (14-20/4.05) in starting roles... James Webb (22-11/3.94) will be the number five man in the rotation... if the rookies come through, Denton City should be much better than fifth in the standings.

6. ARLON: the Champions have been on a downward spiral in recent years, falling from second (10 GB) to third (5 GB) to fifth last year (22 GB) and posting a 73-81 record... the Champs last made the playoffs in 2043... the pitching is so-so... mound ace Lanny Gray (17-17/3.04) is just as good as ever... he led the league in strikeouts for the fourth time and stuck 294 batters, a career high... but he can't do it by himself... vets Pat Stuyvesant (16-13/4.18) and Peter Shannon (13-20/4.41), both in their mid 30s could be slowing down... Arlon has a decent offense, led by CF Cary Rockwell (.306/24/89/72), 1B Robby Westin (.274/21/72/67) and C Nick Shafer (.259/21/79/57)... reliever Claudio Guerrero is the only rookie that might help out this year.

7. BAYVIEW: the Vikings last winning season was 2044 when they came in third with an 82-72 mark (8 GB)... they've been near the bottom ever since, finishing seventh last year with a very poor 59-95 record (36 GB)... it's been over three decades since they played in the postseason... 2016 was the last time... not much talent on the Vikings except for superstar slugger and all-time IPA great 3B Jerry Culpepper (.323/46/116/99), showing no signs of slowing down at age 35... he is only 49 homers shy of Jack Elliott's all-time HR mark of 849... this could be an historic season for him and the IPA fans... Culpepper does get some help offensively from vet 1B Andreas Stokke (.260/36/102/77), LF Jose Rosario (.256/23/72/80) and 2B Zack Mason (..280/12/62/68)... nothing much on the mound for Bayview... Bobby Knudsen (14-20/3.55) is the only fairly decent starter... there's nothing on the horizon from the rookie ranks.

8. LA CLAIRE: the Lynx are picked for last this year in the Tycobbian West... should it happen, it will be the fourth time in six years... last year La Claire was 60-94 (35 GB)... they haven't been to the playoffs since 2038... not much talent on the hill... Bruce Kinson (14-16/3.10) is a solid starter... rookies Al Nixon and Trey Pless might help some in the bullpen... they did pretty well in Spring Training... not much talent at the plate, either, except for off-season acquisition RF Rikky Van Dalen... the Lynx got him in a trade for star closer Terry Baird... Van Dalen was injured last year and only played 60 games, but hit .340 with 13 homers, 36 RBIs and scored 45 runs... if his back problems are a thing of the past, La Claire got one of the best hitters in the IPA... Van Dalen is 32... with a lifetime .321 BA and 326 homers in 13 seasons... three times he has led the league in BA... a 5-time All-Star Van Dalen won the Tycobbian MVP and Golden Bat honors in 2042... 1B Doug Stewart (.313/19/85/71) and LF Hank Morton (.316/9/62/61) are the only other decent bats in the Lynx's lineup... nothing expected from the rookie batter crop.

2049 Tycobbian West Preseason Predictions and Projected Statistics

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, June 21, 2049

49TH IPA ALL-STAR GAME WED AT ROLLING HILLS
It's time once again for the Islandian Pro Alliance All-Star Game. It'll be played at the ancient Midtown Base Ball Grounds, the home of the current IPA champion Rolling Hills Reds. The game is set for this Wednesday afternoon at 1:30. The stars of the Ruthlandian Union will tangle with the stars of the Tycobbian Union. Last year's game went to Ruthlandia 3-2 and cut Tycobbia's dominant lead in the annual series to 31-17. The TU Stars had won the three previous games.

The Middlefield Roosters of the Ruthlandian West had the most representatives with six players. Four clubs had three each: Cold Creek (RU West), Rolling Hills (TU East), Cape Coral (TU South) and Fairfax (TU North).

Jojo DeLucca of Claxton is number one in All-Star appearances this year with 10, Fairfax's John Velasco was named for the 9th time in his career, Sogo Takagi of Ginza was honored for the 8th time, Benny Hull of Grand City for the 6th time and Fairfax's Scott Courtney and LaClaire's Terry Baird were named to the team for the 5th time.

It was a big year for the rookie class of '49, seven of them made the squads. Trey Earnest of Waleska and Timmy Hayworth of Middlefield will play for the Ruthlandian All-Stars and Sharlon Barbour of Chicopee, Kyler Hartman of Ozarka, Eldon McLennen of Colchester, Cadillac Bogart of Bay St. Clair and Dazzy Bevis of Red Bluff were named to the Tycobbian Stars.

The oldest player in this season's IPA All-Star game is 42-year-old second baseman John Velasco of the Fairfax Frogs. The youngest participant is 19-year-old right fielder Eldon McLennan of the Colchester Elites. Both of them play for Tycobbia.

Ruthlandian Union All-Star Team:
SP James Long (Middlefield) (13-5/2.92) (4-time All-Star)
SP Rob Hutchins (Cold Creek) (11-6/2.03) (2-time All-Star)
SP Joe Snow (Sugar Valley) (11-6/2.03) (first time)
SP Rusty Howard (Forest City) (12-5/2.16) (3-time All-Star)
SP Benny McDaniel (Glasco) (10-5/2.10) (first time)
SP Trey Earnest (Waleska) (10-3/2.11) (rookie-first time)
SP Jonas Glover (Far Mountain) 13-2/2.37) (first time)
SP Hollis Dale (Middlefield) (12-2/2.27) (first time)
MR Jack McKinney (Far Mountain) (4-6/2.15/10 saves) (first time)
MR Emmett Pearce (Ranford) (5-0/0.94/10 saves) (first time)
C Johnny McDonald (Middlefield) (.351/13/45/48) (.990 FA/2 PB/22% RTO) (3-time All-Star)
C Darrell Dillon (Colfax) (.329/18/62/47) (.985 FA/6 PB/17.6% RTO) (2-time All-Star)
C Ryan Nelms (Taranto) ).298/26/56/44) (.995 FA/6 PB/33.3% RTO) (3-time All-Star)
1B Benny Hull (Grand City) (.285/24/56/49) (6-time All-Star)
1B Jojo DeLucca (Claxton) (.315/12/53/45) (10-time All-Star)
1B Jason Butler (Belair Beach) (.275/19/45/41) (8-time All-Star)
2B Milt Swallow (Cold Creek) (.332/25/71/46) (2-time All-Star)
2B Ike Gary (Middlefield) (.336/14/52/49) (first time)
3B Joe Cochrane (Cold Creek) (.335/12/44/48) (3-time All-Star)
3B Gary Armitage (Marston) (.287/15/49/51) (3-time All-Star)
SS Jimmy Beach (Middlefield) (.307/16/49/39) (2-time All-Star)
SS John Rodgers (LaGrange) (.302/14/58/41) (4-time All-Star)
SS Corey Belk (Valka) (.304/6/35/34) (first time)
LF Tomek Abramczyk (Valmara) (.339/13/40/36) (2-time All-Star)
LF Timmy Hayworth (Middlefield) (.357/7/26/44) (rookie-first time)
CF Kenny Hardy (Waleska) (.331/8/49/43) (first time)
CF Joey Hawkins (Ranford) (.351/13/49/42) (first time)
CF Don Ritchie (Valmara) (.336/3/30/40) (3-time All-Star)
RF Whit Miley (Claxton) (.338/8/35/49) (2-time All-Star)
RF Enos Conrad (Elnora) (.340/5/28/42) (3-time All-Star)

Tycobbian Union All-Star Team:
SP Matt Bell (San Alejo) (13-4/2.10) (3-time All-Star)
SP Nicky Palmer (White River) (13-3/2.13) (2-time All-Star)
SP Johnny Swanson (Southport) (12-5/2.15) (2-time All-Star)
SP Sharlon Barbour (Chicopee) (12-4/2.32) (rookie - first time)
SP Ozzie Leslie (Tuckanarra) (12-6/2.50) (first time)
SP Matthew Christianson (Rolling Hills) (11-3/2.48) (4-time All-Star)
SP Johnny Howard (Rolling Hills) (12-4/2.73) (first time)
SP Harry Elliott (Denton City) (13-5/2.86) (first time)
MR Terry Baird (Cape Coral) (1-2/1.70/11 saves) (5-time All-Star)
MR Cadillac Bogart (Bay St. Clair) (10-0/0.51/6 saves) (rookie- first time)
C Juan Luis Barcelona (Blue Lake) (.318/7/28/41) (4-time All-Star)
C Kyle Edwards (Rolling Hills) (.317/0/35/22) (.987/3 PB/19.1% RTO) (first time)
C Scott Courtney (Fairfax) (.289/9/37/31) (.981 FA/2 PB/24.2% RTO) (5-time All-Star)
C Kenny Bailey (East Point) (.291/9/30/34) (.985/4 PB/21.4% RTO) (first time)
1B Rodger Parsons (Tuckanarra) (.370/11/51/32) (3-time All-Star)
1B Kelly Walsh (East Point) (.321/16/45/44) (first time)
1B Roger Lewis (Mahaska) (.322/14/51/39) (first time)
2B John Velasco (Fairfax) (.320/9/33/41) (9-time All-Star)
2B Kyler Hartman (Ozarka) (.341/6/39/36) (rookie - first time)
3B Kent Mantle (Cape Coral) (.339/22/50/53) (3-time All-Star)
3B Dazzy Bevis (Red Bluff) (.277/19/51/51) (rookie - first time)
SS Scotty Jackson (Cape Coral) (.315/8/32/44) (2-time All-Star)
SS James Murchison (Colchester) (.316/9/36/47) (first time)
SS Rocco Bertara (Mahaska) (.301/8/28/43) (2-time All-Star)
LF Emil Pasek (Luxora) (.328/8/44/38) (first time)
LF Justin Morrison (Midway) (.308/9/48/42) (3-time All-Star)
CF Sogo Takagi (Ginza) (.327/19/54/57) (8-time All-Star)
CF Trent Russell (Fairfax) (.318/16/43/53) (first time)
RF Eldon McLennan (Colchester) (.349/3/28/30) (rookie - first time)
RF Chuck Coltharpe (North Hills) (.315/15/44/51) (first time)
RF Guido Gervasio (Turon) (.300/9/42/47) (5-time All-Star)