I need to see if anyone should be added to the IPA Hall of Fame.

That should wrap up the 2050 season.

I plan to continue the IPA, but it will be just a general summary of the year, but not in as much detail about the teams as in the past.

Hope you will continue to follow the IPA.

I am in the process of beginning a new Dynasty league. It will be called the State Line League and only have 8 teams. It will be a semi-pro league modeled after one I used to attend in the summertime as a 10-year-old kid in Northwest Alabama. I had an 18-year-old cousin who played in it. He would take me with him to the Sunday games and I would keep score. He inspired my love of baseball. It will be nice to recreate that league.

I will cover it on a game-by-game basis and possibly play out each game, rather than sim as I have in the IPA.

It will really be nice to have to cover only 8 teams instead of 64.

Hope you will check out the State Line League, coming soon to a ballpark near you.

I spent today installing logos for all of the 64 teams in the IPA.
So the graphics for the coming year should be improved some.

In the past I just used logos generated by the game, which were really not very good. I just used the simple ones with the three-letter team indentifiers because they were the clearest and easiest to read. The fancy creations were just terrible.

However, in general only circle logos look good in OOTP12, which I still use for the IPA. I never could get the game to convert completely to versions 13, 14 and 15. The league archives were alway messed up.

I will try to get the Modders to created logos, plus home and away jerseys and caps for the IPA.
However, it seems like it will be a very long process. It is taking some time to get them to do 8 for my new State Line League. Getting 64 logos, caps and jerseys might take quite some time, but I will still give it a try.

Season 51 is ready to go in the IPA.

I'll give you the preseason picks soon.

I will try to get custom jerseys and caps done for the IPA... the ones the game generated are not very good.

I'm really excited about the coming year.

Thanks for being such faithful followers... there were 202 views a few days ago.

When I started the Dynasty it averaged 15-25 views a day for quite a while. Now the average is probably 150-175 a day.

Thank you for this dynasty—I'm glad you decided to keep it running after all! :)

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, April 3, 2051

OLD HAT IN IPA, 7 TEAMS PICKED TO REPEAT
Don't expect a lot of change in the Islandian Pro Alliance this new season. Seven of last year's division champions are favored to repeat... defending Pro Cup champion Valmara should win the Ruthlandian North for the seventh time in the last nine years and get a chance to three-peat in the playoffs... the only one division winner to miss out in the preseason poll was the St. John Crusaders of the Ruthlandian East. The Waleska Westerners got the call this year with the Crusaders forecast to fall to third place. But don't count out the Holy Men... they will be in the running.

Sugar Valley is slated to run away with the RU East... Middlefield should be pressed in the RU West by Forest City... all of last year's Tycobbian division winners are expect back this year... White River, the Pro Cup runner-up should easily handle the Tycobbian North... Same thing for the Southport Sunrays in the TU South and Bay St. Clair Buccaneers in the TU West... but East Point will be pressured quite a bit in the TU East by three other challengers: the hungry Midway Wolves, the feisty Tuckanarra Blue Jays and the slugging Red Bluff Red Sox.

VIPERS IN A TIGHT RACE IN THE RU NORTH
The powerhouses are all back for season number 51 with Valmara going for its third straight Pro Cup crown. Last year the Vipers were pressed in the Ruthlandian North by the Ranford Bulls. This year you can add another contending club in the Taranto Tars, who are picked for second place, while Ranford will be a very close third. Valmara still has a relatively young club with all the mainstays back. Darus Polaski (25-9/1.98, Primo Sirak (19-10/2.63) and brothers Darek (18-8/2.42) and Mark Polaski (14-9/3.82) head up a potent pitching rotation. Ken Jensen (.320), Don Ritchie (.312) and Karol Koska (34 HR/132 RBI) are back with the big sticks. The Vipers did lose one of its Pro Cup stalwarts, Teddy Twardzik, who retired at age 39 after 13 seasons. Twardzik finished 195-155 with a 3.11 career ERA and a 12-4 postseason record with a 2.38 ERA in 19 starts. He missed all of last year with an arm injury and decided it was time to ride off into the sunset.

Taranto is paced by two fine starters Pablo Rivas (25-10/3.33) and Valerio Rossi (22-16/3.53)... Armani Pizziconi (13-13/3.16) and Bill Walker (17-18/3.94) give them a solid rotation that has the tough task to play in a bandbox, the Palazzo di Sport, one of the smallest diamonds in the IPA. Ryan Nelms (.262/33/96/70) and Derrick Damon (.319/22/88/89) are the primary run producers for the Tars.

Ranford still has the great portsider Ralph Hawk (22-8/2.81) on the hill and still in his prime at 33. He won the RU Golden Arms in '48 and '49. The number two starter is Neil Martin (17-11/3.51) and in the bullpen is a standout young closer Martin Futch (8-5/2.35), who led the IPA with 26 saves in his freshman season. The Bulls have plenty of firepower in the lineup with Virgil Belisle (.341), Rory O'Herlihy (.340) , Joey Hawkins (.308), Zach Isom (.312), Joel Rimes (.284/20/105/114) and Don Connell (.276/18/99/80)... Ranford is a dangerous club.

WALESKA FAVORED IN RU SOUTH
It's been 13 years since the Waleska Westeners tasted the sweet victory of winning the Ruthlandian South and the club's third Pro Cup trophy in 2039... this year the Islandian baseball experts have surprisingly selected them to beat out San Dimas, last year's champ St. John and Belair Beach for the division crown... the Westerners came in fifth last year, 20 GB.

St. John appears to be the best club in the division, but not by a lot... San Dimas, second last season, has much better offense than Waleska and just as much pitching... fourth place seems to be best suited for Belair Beach... none of the clubs will go far in the playoffs... the Ruthlandian South is not very strong.

Waleska has only two quality starters in veteran Niles Neilsen (20-15/2.27) and young, 24-year-old Lou Carlson (17-17/3.18)... not much in the bullpen... nor in the lineup... so-so performers Rob Rice (.298/18/64/56), Gene Stevenson (.281/12/63/55) and Pete Doyle (.276/14/60/53) will have to carry the offense... however, Doyle is 39 and came over in a trade with Denton City of the Tycobbian Union... Doyle has 322 homers in 17 seasons with a .275 lifetime BA and 1152 RBIs... the preseason prognosticators must know something the rest of us don't... we shall see who's right.

The St. John Crusaders still have impressive pitching with Frank Long (26-11/3.00), who led the IPA in wins, Teddy de Grom (19-13/3.10), new starter Jimmy Chambers (10-7/3.38/11 saves) and Zeke Yoder (15-8/3.94/1 save)... and some very capable bats in Al Pace (.321/26/119/76), Cris Hershey (.321/11/88/86), Herb Gruen (.265/17/92/73) and Sherrill Westerfield (.343/6/48/91).

The San Dimas Rancheros can put runs on the scoreboard, but are not that strong on the hill... top hitters are Enrique Orantez (.308/34/113/106), Johnny Locke (.305/10/63/98), Ricardo Cepeda (.297/7/46/81), 38-year-old veteran Denny Hendrix (.279/32/99/80) and 36-year-old star Leonard Purkey (.295/21/89/54)... Gary Widmer (16-11/3.79) is the most reliable starter with some help from Shan Dewhurst (17-20/3.67)... the bullpen is well-fixed with fine closer Kenny Robinson (14-7/1.91/21 saves) and Georgie Walker (6-3/2.15/9 saves).

Offensively the Belair Beach Sunbirds are sparked by Norm Ellis (.281/33/108/67), Alvara Abreu (.312/1/42/75) and Andy Williams (.276/3/45/102)... star slugger Jason Butler (.276/18/70/71) is still around, but is 38 years old... he has 574 homers and over 1600 RBIs in a fine 16-year career... Tom Cook (10-5/2.31/10 saves) is a solid closer and Jeffrey Verblen (17-18/3.62) is the most reliable starter... the Sunbirds will be lucky to wind up fourth this year... not much on the mound or at the plate.

2051 Ruthlandian North and South Divisions Preseason Predictions

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, April 3, 2051

RATTLERS TO STRIKE AGAIN IN RU EAST
The Sugar Valley Rattlers are forecast to dominate the Ruthlandian East Division again in 2051... they have won it the last three seasons... and six of the previous eight... even won their first Pro Cup in 2045... no competitors in sight... Belle Plaine can really put runs on the scoreboard, but suffers some on the mound... the rest of the division will be also-rans this year.

Dominant pitching carries Sugar Valley... the starting four are excellent led by Christopher Dunsberry (24-6/2.57), Joe Snow (23-10/2.40), Antonio Cedeno (19-14/2.38) and Cullen Winslow (20-9/3.04)... in the bullpen closer Domenico Renterias has a high 4.17 ERA, but he did put up 25 saves, second best in the IPA in 73 appearances... the offense is just sufficient with Duncan McEllicott (.297/38/99/86) and Carl Ramsey (.272/32/95/90) at the forefront... the Rattlers really miss the big bat of manager Bobby Gamble, career .315 hitter with 530 roundtrippers... Gamble retired in 2049.

The Belle Plaine Musketeeers have been runner-up to Sugar Valley the last few years... and it looks like more of the same this year... not nearly enough pitching... but the Muskies can muscle the ball with the likes of superstar Lenny Buisson (.336/44/108/116) and Chuck Gregory (.352/29/101/75)... Gregory led the IPA with a .352 BA... Buisson was sixth with 44 homers... Phil Lacey (20-14/3.33) and Joe-Joe Bouvier (16-10/4.00) are dependable starters, but the Musketeers lack depth in the starting rotation... the bullpen is pretty good with Takeo Kawamura (8-4/2.16/18 saves) and Lakota Cobos (8-5/3.16/15 saves)... Belle Plaine got Cobos from Ancona in a trade this year... he should be a good acquisition... the Musketeers have to close a 10-game gap between them and Sugar Valley.

ROOSTERS RULE RU WEST AGAIN
Four times in the last six seasons the Middlefield Roosters have ruled the roost in the Ruthlandian West and they are the favorite this year in a two-team tussle with Forest City... the 'Jacks won it in '48 and have been a distant second the last two years.

Longballs and good pitching keep Middlefield in business... superstud Johnny Wyatt (.325/57/133/114) has been fabulous in his first two IPA seasons... 57 homers, 256 RBIs and a .307 batting helped him win the Ruthlandiand MVP two years running... Wyatt was number one in homers with 57 and second in the IPA to Benny Hull of Grand City with 133 RBIs... Hull totaled 135... Timothy Hayworth is also a budding star... he hit .331 last year with 17 homers, 101 runs and 64 RBIs... Russell Martin added 28 home runs, 83 RBIs and scored 87 runs, while batting .260... James Long is the ace of the staff with a 25-8 mark with a sterling 1.78 ERA, tops in the IPA... Long was second in wins... the Roosters have two other capable starters in Carroll Collier (20-15/3.36) and Hollis Dale (16-14/3.78)... and Ricky Farris (10-9/3.35/14 saves) is dependable in the bullpen.

The Forest City Lumberjacks need to hit with more power... they have some fine contact men like last year's Rookie of the Year Heck Callis (339/8/77/82), Ziggy Regan (.305/11/74/103) and Dan Brownmiller (.302/14/85/68)... Hondo Harmon (.285/18/85/69) is their only decent slugger... 30-year-old ace and strikeout king Rusty Howard (22-14/2.46) is the workhorse of the staff with help from Omar Cordero (17-12/3.19) and John McKee (17-12/3.57)... five times Howard has led the RU in strikeouts.

None of the other clubs will likely be in the pennant chase... but the clubs do have some talented players... Jamie Taylor (20-13/1.93) of Rocky Rapids... C Darrell Dillon (.333/31/93/83) of Colfax... Mickey Walsh (21-16/2.61) of Sligo.

2051 Ruthlandian East and West Divisions Preseason Predictions

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, April 3, 2051

RASCALS WILL ROMP AGAIN IN TU NORTH
The White River Rascals won the Tycobbian North Division last year by an overwhelming 31 games... and the experts are predicting they will cruise through it again by a wide margin... at least by double digits... making it the third year in a row the Rascals have raked in the division flag... Hartsdale, Blue Lake, Luxora and Mahaska will do battle for the runner-up spot in the standings... White River is still smarting from being swept in the Pro Cup Finals last year by the Valmara Vipers... the Rascals have fallen two years in a row in the IPA title series to the Vipers... they would like nothing better than to claim it all this year... White River has never won a Pro Cup.

White River has just about the finest mound foursome in the IPA, headed up by the Tycobbian MVP Butch Slattery (26-8/2.41)... included in that awesome rotation are Nicky Palmer (24-8/2.92), Keil Trickett (21-8/3.98) and Clem Warren (19-16/2.70)... the bullpen is in good hands, too, with closer Todd Cole (9-8/2.45/16 saves)... at the plate the Rascals can rip the ball with Billy Joe Hickman (.257/39/112/96), Ryne Hyland (.275/32/87/93), Kenny Yarbrough (.294/22/75/92), Ryan Byrd (.263/22/90/81, Kunta Burton (.321/7/62.830 and Ruben Reaves (.281/16/60/87).

The Hartsdale Hellcats tied for second last year with Luxora... not a lot to brag about on the Hellcats... Perry Givens (16-15/3.66) was the only starter close to a winning record... Gil Younger (16-21/3.80) also gives them some quality starts... Emilian Burgess (.290/20/82/75) is the only consistent hitter on the club.

Last year's sixth place club, Blue Lake, is picked to move up to third place this season, but the Blue Sox have very limited talent... nothing on the mound and very little at bat except for rising star Jude Rupp (.302/19/95/83), 5-time All-Star Juan Luis Barcelona and Burl Baugh (.260/20/81/62).

Luxora was tied for second last year, but 12 games under the .500 mark... the Zorros are forecast for fourth place... it's been decades since the Z's made the playoffs... the last time was 2031... they still haven't won a Pro Cup or even come to close to one... no pitching to speak of and no bats to speak of, either... Emil Pasek (.288/23/84) and Tiago Chaves (.291/23/71/69) are the most productive bats.

Mahaska was fifth last season and could range from second to fifth this year... it's been a long, long time since they won a pennant... 2028 was years and years ago... still no Pro Cup in the Haymakers' trophy case... on the hill Boyd Hackman (18-17/3.06) and Pip Cordice (16-20/3.14) are pretty good young talents... the steady hitters are veteran Roger Lewis (.283/29/92/73), Goose Fulton (.272/15/85/81) and Gold Glove shortstop Rocco Bertara (.280/9/59/67)... Mahaska is just a fair-to-middling ball club.

Three clubs will battle in the bottom rungs of the Tycobbian North... after an unprecedented 11 division flags in 12 years and four Pro Cups, the North Hills Hawks have fallen on hard times... under .500 the last four seasons and seventh last year (36 GB)... sixth may be the best thing can do this year... Carver Dillon is the only good pitcher, a reliever... he was 14-9 in 81 appearances with 10 saves and a fine 2.91 ERA... Chuck Coltharpe (.309/31/85/107) is good talent... long-time veteran Tommy Vavas (.266/19/86/73) is still holding his own at age 38 after 19 seasons at second base... he is the last of the Pro Cup glory years.

The Oxford Red Caps came in fourth last year but with a losing record at 70-84 (32 GB) and seventh place is staring them in the face this year according to the preseason polls... no playoffs since 2007, the year they won their one and only Pro Cup... their best performers are starters Rudy Mellancamp (17-16/2.90) and Lou Ellison (20-15/3.77) and outfielder Mel Shadwell (.325/19/89/80).

It's been almost 20 years since the Fairfax Frogs made the postseason... for the last two seasons they have been deep in the TU North basement and this could be the third year in row... starter Shaun O'Riley (12-15/2.92) and reliever Lyle Linden (11-5/3.05/12 saves) are the best of the lot... Scott Courtney, a 5-time All-Star catcher, is the only threat they have... he batted .339 with 22 HRs, 75 RBIs and 77 runs... brand-new Hall-of-Famer John Velasco is the new Frogs' skipper, replacing Dane Wesner, who had been at the helm since '29.

SOUTHPORT FAVORED IN TU SOUTH AGAIN
Once again Southport is picked as the best club in the Tycobbian South Division... for the eighth time in 10 years they are expected to win the pennant... they are a very good club... the baseball experts say Southport will breeze to another division crown... Summerland, Colchester and Turon will put up the best resistance, but will be beaten by 10 or more games.

Not quite as good as White River, but Southport can still play the game... they are aging, but still in the race... the Sun Sox captured two Pro Cups in recent years, '44 and '47... top pitchers are Johnny Swanson (17-12/2.58) and Billy Hoover (19-13/3.12)... and Tom Chambers (22-11/3.33) and Brandon Delmore (17-10/3.90) are quality arms, too... the Sun Sox are extremely good in the bullpen with Troy Hill (14-5/1.85/21 saves) and Hal Combs (7-5/1.95/8 saves)... Southport is stocked well with reliable bats like Vasilis Vlachos (.293/27/93/78), Tony Patrano (.308/26/109/74), Nigel Colvin (.304/13/84/62), Owen Wallace (.288/4/60/94), Chris Jones (.304/4/55/90). and Zee Graham (.333/23/64/56)... Southport is a potential Pro Cup winner... they are a solid club.

The number-two pick Summerland Sunsets broke even last season and wound up a very distant fourth (21 GB)... much improved on the cellar finish in 2049 (40 GB)... improved hitting and pitching did the job... Jayson Hallstrom (23-14/2.79) is the ace and gets some help from Rudy Hilgendorf (17-13/3.42)... and Lanny Meredith is an up-and-coming 22-year-old despite his 11-20 record... Meredith posted a 3.22 ERA in almost 300 IP... Kenny Douglas (.263/32/96/90) and Alex Abbotson (.298/23/83/73) are the Sunsets' best bats... Summerland's last playoff appearance was in 2046... the Sunsets have never won a Pro Cup, but they came close in '40, losing a seven-game series to IPA champ Ranford.

The Colchester Elites were fifth last year (76-78 22 GB) and are the third choice this year... no great shakes on the mound with starters Lynwood Ginger (18-17/3.99) and Denzel Durand (16-16/3.75)... but they do have last year's TU Rookie of the Year 23-year-old Kelton McFalls, who burst on the scene with 43 homers, 113 RBIs and a .296 BA... and 21-year-old Eldon McLennan, a .321 hitter in his sophomore season with 13 homers, 76 RBIs, 101 runs and 37 SBs... McLennan was third in the IPA with 37 stolen bases... only Gilberto Spinoza of High Mesa was better with 41.

The Turon Typhoons were a distant third last year with a fine 84-70 record (14 GB)... it's been 12 years since their last postseason appearance, but the Typhoons do have a fabled history in the IPA with four Pro Cups ('03, '06, '09 and '18)... they also made the Finals in '10 and '17, but lost... Tom Fuller is a rock-solid starter at 22-10 and 3.19 ERA and closer Russell Mallory (12-2/1.81/12 saves) is a superb closer... the veteran bats are good with star Guido Gervasio (.288/24/83/80), star C. C Kingsford (.279/23/84/80), Wallace Sonnier (.285/26/77/63) and Buford Cloninger (.276/24/72.89)... youngster Neil Brandt (.293/24/77/57) is also a budding talent at catcher at age 24.

The San Alejo Montaneros won the pennant in 2049, but slipped to second place last year with a 90-64 mark (8 GB)... 2032 was the year of their only Pro Cup crown... still a very potent challenger to Southport with superstar starters Matt Bell (23-8/1.83), a three-time Golden Arm recipient, and Will McKinney (26-12/1.93), a two-time Golden Arm winner... both are 200-game winners and are still in the prime of their careers at age 31... they just need some help from starters three and four, Mickey Cronyn (10-12/4.29) and Benny Buckmaster (11-16/4.94)... need help in the bullpen, too... not much there... at the plate the Monties are pretty good, too, with former Golden Bat winner Royce Grantham (.272/30/95/100), star Paulo Teixeira (.311/30/104/102), Alanzo Grassi (.330/24/83/66), Benito Clemente (.25/10/62/99) and Erik Landau (.275/10/62/99)... San Alejo and Turon look like better contenders than Summerland and Colchester and should beat out the Sunsets and Elites for the runner-up and third spots in the standings.

The Ginza Ninjas have found a home in sixth place the last two seasons... 72-82 both years... 26 GB last year... no playoffs since 2031... and no Pro Cups ever in the club's history, though the Ninjas did play in the very first Pro Cup Finals and lost in a sweep to the Volusia Vigilantes... on the hill onlly Charley Waskins (16-12/4.76) had a winning record... Carlos Del Toro (12-18/3.49) had the best ERA in the starting rotation... and T. C. Gallimore (17-19/4.19) had the most victories... 37-year-old closer Timmy Hickens (10-5/2.34/17 saves) is still as tough as ever in the bullpen... outfield superstar, 9-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glover, Sogo Takagi (.315/32/96/114) is still a huge threat in the lineup at 37... he's a career .299 hitter with almost 500 homers and 1500 RBIs... he just doesn't have anyone to help him out... though Kuzuki Tamura (.297/4/65/63) and Kyle Estes (.267/13/95/69) are fair ballplayers... Ginza will still be a second-division team this season.

Arroyo Grande was last in 2050 (64-90 34 GB)... no pennants since 2024... and no IPA Pro Cups in its history... the Suns are just a bad team and franchise... Enrique Lopez (15-17/3.92) and Anthony Lombardi (13-19/4.14) are fairly good pitchers considering the short fences in Capet Stadium, which come in handy for sluggers like Norishige Ito (.284/46/121/120), Vince Kinston (.285/46/104/93) and Russell Taylor (.275/28/66/90)... Ito led the Tycobbian Union with 121 RBIs, tied with Miguel Romeros of Rolling Hills... Ito and Kinston were second in homers with 46, topped only by Nioka Inkamara of Bayview in TU, who hit 50... Johnny Wyatt led the IPA in homers with 57 for the Middlefield Roosters of the Ruthlandian Union.

Aftering winning the TU South Division crown in 2041 with a devastating offense, the Cape Coral Hurricanes have run aground and tapered off to a pretty much mediocre ballclub... they have settled near botton the last two seasons with identical 70-84 records, good for seventh place... the Hurricanes have never won a Pro Cup... they still score five runs a game but also give up five runs a game... top hitters are Scotty Jackson (.296/36/109/105), Teddy Plimpton (.237/19/95/96), Kent Mantle (.266/27/89/73), Tommy Jaggs (.310/14/86/53) and Dorson Crabbe (.281/11/66/69)... the best starters are vets Benton McCall (12-17/3.89) and Vernon Marks (15-16/3.97)... at age 37 closer Terry Baird (12-6/4/15/12 saves) had an off-year in the bullpen.

2051 Tycobbian Union North and South Divisions Preseason Predictions

I've got some exciting news... the Modders have agreed to do me new logos, jerseys and caps for the IPA. It will be a huge amount of work for them, but I think they will do it.

That will really improve my league.

I'm like a kid with a new toy.

I love new logos... and the customed-made jerseys will be great too.

The game-generated jerseys and caps don't do much for me.

I have one more division to preview and then play will begin in season #51 in the IPA..

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, April 3. 2051

PANTHERS PICKED TO REPEAT IN TU EAST
According to the oddsmakers not a lot will change in the Tycobbian East Division this season... it's going to pretty much be a repeat of last year with the East Point Panthers picking up a second straight division title after years of losing, but they will have competition from two other clubs, the Midway Wolves and the Tuckanarra Blue Jays, who were fairly close last year... the Wolves were four games off the pace and the Tucks were six games back... Red Bluff is slated to come in fourth in the standings this season.

The Panthers had fair pitching last year, headed by Milt Easterling (22-7/3.58) and Joey Hilton (20-12/4.09) in the starting rotation... in the bullpen Pudgy Putnam (11-8/2.38/14 saves) and Kerry Woodburn (3-3/2.92/4 saves) did a good job... it's in the batter's box that the Panthers stood out with Kenny Bailey (.309/40/111/80), Doug Dennhardt (.275/39/105/81) and Alvaro Cavacos (.262/38/110/78), who slugged 117 out of the park and drove in 326 runs between them... perhaps the best trio of hitters in the IPA... add in Justin McRae (.306/14/75/110) and you got pretty good offensive force... pitching is the East Point's problem in the postseason.

Midway made a good run for the pennant last year, moving from fifth to a fairly close second... the Wolves got better on the hill and at the plate... they are hoping to win their first pennant since 2027... Midway has never claimed the IPA championship, never winning a Pro Cup... in 2022 they got their only chance and blew it in a six-game loss to Crystal Lake in the Finals... carrying the pitching load are 20-year-old sensation Beau McCloud (22-12/2.47), who had a phenomenal freshman year... and veteran Charlie Chase (23-14/2.90)... the best in the bullen is Rocket Rhodes (7-5/2.21/9 saves)... Midway can handle the bats very well with the likes of Justin Morrison (.324/27/103/93), Kax Clark (.306/13/67/103), Alfie Kincade (.292/31/98/76), Mel Morrison (.283/30/96/77), Joey Keswick (.260/12/43/106) and A. J. McLouth (.245/29/91/60)... give the Wolves another starter or two and they could make some noise in the playoffs.

For the 29th consecutive year the Tuckanarra Blue Jays have finished fourth or better in the Tycobbian East... not a lot of teams can say that... the Tucks won the pennant in '49, but fell to third last year, six games back of East Point... it's been quite awhile since the Blue Jays captured a Pro Cup... their third and last came in 2035... the other two were in 2023- and 2024... they have a trio of pretty good starters in Dickie Pittman (18-9/2.70), Alfie Rutledge (22-12/3.23) and Ozzie Leslie (20-14/3.48)... but they are not too strong in the relief corps... not very good at the plate, either... the forecasters have ranked them a strong contender in the division, but on paper it doesn't look like they are in the class of East Point and Midway... their best hitters are only so-so... Bud Bostic (.313/5/55/61), Rodger Parsons (.299/18/70/68), Harv Bannerman (.277/21/54/82) and Sebastien O'Brien (.289/13/60/41) are the best of the lot.

After a great run from 2043 to 2049 when they won four division crowns and came in second three times, the Red Bluff Red Sox slipped down to fifth place and 79-75 last year (12 GB)... the club has won only one Pro cup when they whipped Sugar Valley long ago in 2004... the baseball polls have placed them fourth this year... the Red Sox can still go deep and led the IPA in homers with 238 last year, led by 38-year-old Fran Blanchard (.281/37/98/74) and 25-year-old Dazzy Bevis (.299/34/101/109), who is playing in his third season in the IPA and is a rising star... Jud Cox (16-12/3.17), Mickey Rosen (17-16/3.76) and Felix Delatte (13-13/3.56) are the best of a ho-hum staff.

The High Mesa Cowboys wound up having a winning season for last four years in a row... they won the division in '48 and came in fourth with a fine 83-71 mark in '50... good starters are the key to success and the Cowpokes have four pretty good ones in Dickie Sternfeld (19-12/3.04), Tuffy Hammel (19-14/3.02), Lucius Quarles (12-15/2.53) and Tee Bo Templet (13-13/3.89)... and William Morris (5-3/2.93/3 saves) is solid in the bullpen... Andreas Stokke (.279/40/89/70) is still a damaging hitter at age 38... so is Kris Wilson at 38 with a .300 BA, 22 HRs, 91 RBIs and 76 run... veteran Randy Sweetland hit only .260, but scored 94 runs, drove in 59/ and scored 94 times... it looks like High Mesa pitching is good enough to get them into the first divsion of the Tycobbian East... fifth place may be too low for them.

Hillsboro is still looking for its first postseason appearance... and it looks like the Blazers will have to wait at least another year... they are picked for sixth place this year after winding up dead last in 2050 with a 75-79 mark (16 GB_... the club has decent starting pitching paced by Jamie Lee Bradley (22-16/3.58) and Clay Spencer (16-11/3.39)... Steve Cooper (11-15/3.33) gives them another quality arm... Hillsdale has no help in the bullpen... and 37-year-old Jurrien Bellini (262/37/102/89) is the only dangerous threat in the batting order.

It's not going be a good year for the South Fork Stallions according the baseball critics... they are picked to finish seventh this season... the Hosses have been in a second-division funk since 2048... dropping from fifth to seventh to sixth last year... the last TU East title came in 2043... but South Fork does have a Pro Cup... in fact, they have won twice... '42 and '25... but not this year... Jonas Clay (12-8/2.82/3 saves), Kip Cleaver (20-17/3.13) and Tony Haskell (16-13/3.69) are reliable starters... Haskell's career got a rebirth after South Fork got him in a trade from Waleska in the Rutlandian Union.... the offense is weak... Jack Boswell (.284/27/86/92), Rudy Maroney (.299/27/81/77), Pete Arnold (.275/15/61/93) and Artie Winslow (.303/12/56/68) don't put a lot of runs on the scoreboard.

The Ozarka Naturals wound up seventh last year at 75-79 (16 GB) and are not likely to do much better in 2051... the Nats last pennant came in '40... and they have never won the Pro Cup crown, but have had their chances... five times they made the Finals and five times they were beaten... appearing in '11, '12 '16, '19 and '20... the pollsters are placing them last this year in the Tycobbian East... Marlin Matthewson (17-13/4.15) led the staff in victories... and Carl Hemus (15-19/2.89) was the most effective... Gene White (9-5/1.36/14 saves) led the bullpen with a fine season and had help from Jim Greene (6-3/2.72/11 saves)... the main bat in the lineup is the productive Artie Clayton... he hit only .264, but belted 42 homers, drove in 117 runs and scored 97 runs... he was pretty much the whole Ozarka offense... except for Kyler Hartman, who added a .296 BA, 11 homers, 73 RBIs and 60 runs.

BUCS SOLID FAVORITE IN TYCOBBIAN WEST
The preseason prognosticators have made last year's Tycobbian West winner Bay St. Clair Buccaneers a solid favorite in this year's pennant race... this will make it the third successive season the Bucs have prevailed... the three challengers are expected to be the Denton City Redbirds, Arlon Champions and Chicopee Braves... it was no contest last year for the Buccaneers, who won by 13 games... the experts say it could happen again.

Bay St. Clair really blistered the ball last year hitting .283 and scored almost 6 runs a game... leading the Buccaneer attack are Clive Caviness (.315/28/107/86), Stan Kovalenko (.307/13/80/119), Butch Thornhill (.282/21/98/99), Hersh Cranmore (.305/90/82) and Dwayne Mungle (.288/7/76/106)... Kovalenko ran second to Norishige Ito of Arroyo Grande and Ryan Reagan of Kilkenny for the IPA lead in runs scored... Ito and Reagan were first with 120, while Kovalenko scored 119... Bay St. Clair is strong on the hill, too, with two fine starters Dion Hawkins (20-7/2.96) and Scotty Hedwall (22-10/2.85)... the bullpen is well-stocked with Cadillac Bogart (8-8/2.41/11 saves) and Ian Abercrombie (10-5/1.70/13 saves)... the Buccaneers will have to get past powerful White River in the playoffs... last year they succumbed in six games to the Rascals.

Denton City came in a three-way tie for fifth last year with a not-so-good 69-85 mark when the pitching went into the pits... they were 92-63 the year before losing a heartbreaking playoff game to White River... the experts gave them a good bill of health this year and slotted the Redbirds for second place... Denton City has just been a so-so ballclub the last decade or so... the last pennant came in 2040... and the Redbirds have never won a Pro Cup, but they came close twice, in 2005 and 2008, when they reach the Pro Cup Finals... Flash Stringfellow (17-16/3.56) and James Webb (13-12/3.62) were the only starters with winning marks.. however Johnny Wingate (13-20/3.13) is the ace... Harry Elliott (1-16/4.33) and Mel Coley (9-14/4.35/9 saves) stumbled badly after having such fine years in 2049, when both were 20-game winners... Rich Prince (.315/13/64/72) and Matt Wakely (.313/53/70) had the best batting averages, but Val Anniston (.270/21/99/66) had more punch in his bat and was more productive... the Redbirds traded long-time star 34-year-old 1B Wayman Stetson (.248/6/30/20) to Valmara of the Ruthlandian Union... disgruntled about his lack of playing time, Stetson asked to be traded... in return Denton City got two promising players 30-year-old CF Paul McMahon (.263/7/52/37) and 23-year-old pitcher Danek Dzik (1-3/2.30)... it could be a win-win for both clubs.

The Arlon Champions were a poor fourth last year at 70-84 (29 GB), but are forecast for a much better season... the last pennant for the Champs came in '43... still no IPA Pro Cup in their trophy room, though they got to Finals and lost to Waleska in '39... superstar southpaw Lanny Gray (19-10/2.68) is still hacking it at age 34 and he just might get some help this year on the mound from some highly-touted rookies Erik Branham and J. C. Hilburn... and Mack Blair (10-5/1.58/20 saves) heads up a good bullpen... Ivan Cisneros (.281/23/91/82) and Cary Rockwell (.311/15/81/53) are the most reliable threats in the batting order... it all depends on the rookies how high the Champs climb... not likely they'll catch Bay St. Clair.

Chicopee is another club on the rise according to the pollsters... the Braves were dead last and 65-94 last year (34 GB)... they haven't had a winning season in 14 years... the last division flag came in '36... there are no Pro Cup victories in their history.. looking at the Braves' roster they don't appear to be a fourth-place team... Tony Dazzi (16-19/3.87), Sharlon Barbour (13-19/3.84) and Gary Robinson (11-12/3.62) are fairly good starters with nothing much in the bullpen... and the bats are just fair, too... the best of the lot are Johnny Helwig (.337/13/70/69), 35-year-old Pat Kinney (.289/4/60/75), Arlen Buchanan (.285/8/72/83) and Sam Patrick (.269/25/76/62)... not much punch in the line-up... only 101 homers last year.

Rolling Hills is rated the fifth-best team in the TU West this year... the Reds had a good season last year, finishing a distant second to Bay St. Clair with an 86-69 mark(13 GB)... they have been in the top three for the past six years... won the pennant and their third Pro Cup in '48... the Reds can rock the ball with the likes of Miguel Romeros (.327/28/121/105), Dustin Thibodeau (.304/21/77/117), superstar Darwin Tard (.281/21/92/86), Orrin Phillips (.288/25/92/74), Taddy McKeown (.290/11/69/71) and Kyle Edwards (.304/1/50/53).... veteran starters Matthew Christianson (18-9/3.42) and Johnny Howard (15-19) are both 36... Marty Phillips (19-15/4.25) and Steve Adams (17-9/4.22/1 save) win games, but have high ERAs... no reliable bullpenders... with an offense like Rolling Hills has, you wouldn't think they would fall to the second division.

The La Claire Lynx haven't put up a winning season for the previous seven seasons... third last year with a 75-79 record (24 GB), they are rated number six this year... with a below .500-season forecast... the Lynx haven't won a pennant since '38 and have no Pro Cups in 49 seasons... they don't have much on the slabs... Joel Orgeron (16-12/3.72) is the best of the mediocre starting rotation... however, the bullpen is pretty good with Al Nixon (6-1/2.19/7 saves) and Derrick Kajlich (7-3/2.72/5 saves)... superstar Rikki Van Dalen (.303/13/62/80) hit well, but missed one-third of the season due to injury... Sam Essex (.267/32/90/94) led the club in everything but batting average... Doug Stewart hit .329 with 10 homers, 88 RBIs and 76 runs... and J. D. Landy chipped in with 13 homers, 75 RBIs, scored 76 runs, but batted a lowly .238 for average.

The Kenwood Wildcats had their worst year in 15 seasons with a 69-85 mark (30 GB), coming in fifth and tied with two other teams... they have won the division crown six times since '41 and have one Pro Cup trophy in their possession... that was way back in 2014... the Wildcats have some pretty fair bats in superstar Corky DiNozzo (.306/43/108/96) and star Country Crowder (.340/6/56/95), who carry the club offensively with a little help from Jasper Matthews (.275/19/76/66)... 35-year-old vet Rusty Bradford (19-14/3.06) is the best of the starting staff with little help in the bullpen.

The Bayview Vikings were tied for fifth in 2050 with a 69-85 record (30 GB)... they have one winning season in the last 10 and haven't made the postseason since 2016... never come close to winning a Pro Cup... but the Viks do have firepower with superstar sluggers Nioka Inkamara (.317/50/120/93) and Jack Culpepper (.297/39/109/72)... Inkamara was the Tycobbian Golden Bat winner... he was second to Middlefield's Johnny Wyatt with 57 in the IPA home run derby, while the 37-year-old Culpepper eclipsed the legendary Jack Elliott on the all-time home run list with 875 roundtrippers... Elliott poled 848 out of the park in his great career in High Mesa... Cooter Cannon didn't hit for much, only .238, but did collect 26 homers, 91 RBIs and scored 97 runs... and Mac Garris added in 21 dingers, 73 RBIs and scored 87 runs, while hitting .270... Bayview was second to Red Bluff in power numbers... the Red Sox totaled 238 rondtrippers to lead the IPA... the Vikings slammed 231... the pitching was terrible... only Bobby Knudsen (18-19/3.80) had an ERA under 5.00.

2051 Tycobbian Union East and West Divisions Preseason Predictions

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, May 1, 2051

SOME SURPRISES IN THE IPA EARLY GOING
The new Islandian Pro Alliance season is not exactly playing out true-to-form... there are a few surprises at the end of the first month's play... favorite and last season's division winner Southport (11-15) is struggling in the Tycobbian South in seventh place, trailing by 7 games... the Colchester Elites (18-8) shot out of the gate like gangbusters sparked by a high-octane attack are on top of the division... The Mahaska Haymakers (18-8) are giving favored White River (16-10) quite a battle in the TU North, leading the Rascals by 2 games... It's a tight duel in the Tycobbian West with Arlon (16-10), bolstered by two standout rookie hurlers, on top and 2 games up on the Rolling Hills Reds, Chicopee Braves and defending champ Bay St. Clair Buccaneers, all 14-12... the Tycobbian East Division is some kind of dogfight with seven clubs .500 or better... two unlikely clubs are high in the standings... the Hillsboro Blazers (20-6) are in first place, tied with last year's pennant winner East Point (20-6)... and the Ozarka Naturals (18-8), picked to be in the cellar, are a close third in the race... running fourth are the High Mesa Cowboys (17-9)... and the Red Bluff Red Sox (15-11) and Midway Wolves (15-11) also played well in April.

In the Ruthlandian Union things are going pretty much according to Hoyle with the vaunted Valmara Vipers (18-8), the reigning Pro Cup crownbearer, and mild surprise Glasco (18-8) are deadlocked for first in the RU North, followed by the Taranto Tars (17-9)... after a month favored Waleska (20-6) has charge of the RU South with a 4-game edge over the runner-up Valka Blackhawks... the rest of the clubs are already 9 games off the pace and have a lot of ground to make up... the Cold Creek Catamounts, picked for sixth in the preseason polls, have a one-game lead over defending division champ Sugar Valley (15-10)... and the Wynnamac Sundowners (14-12) are just 3 in the rear... in the tightly-bunch Ruthlandian West Division the unheralded Volusia Vigilantes (16-10) are locked up with last season's title winner Middlefield (16-10)... several other clubs are well within striking distance of the leaders... the Stoner Stars (15-11) are only 2 out... the Fort Benton Defenders (14-12) just 3 behind... Rocky Rapids (13-13), Sligo (12-14) and Forest City (11-15) are just a good winning streak back.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, June 18, 2051

IPA BEST TANGLE WEDNESDAY IN VALMARA
Coming up this Wednesday afternoon in Valmara is the Islandian Pro Alliance annual All-Star Game, pitting the best of the Ruthlandian Union against the best of the Tycobbian Union. It's the 51st renewal of the mid-Summer classic. War Memorial Stadium will be the site for the All-Star extravaganza, played for the second straight year at the home of the current IPA Pro Cup champion Valmara Vipers.

The Tycobbian Stars are way ahead in the competition, winning 31 of the 50 encounters... this year the East Point Panthers topped the TU Stars with four representatives... while three clubs in the Ruthlandian Union placed three players each on the squad: the Ranford Bulls, Taranto Tars and Cold Creek Catamounts... Denny Hendrix of San Dimas and Andreas Stokke of High Mesa are the oldest All-Stars at age 38... Beau McCloud of Rolling Hills is the youngest, just 20 years old... three Tycobbian rookies made the squad: Tuffy Palmierri of Ozarka, Erik Branham of Arlon and Pudgy Putnam of East Point... none of the RU Stars were first-year players.

Ruthlandian Union All-Stars

SP RALPH HAWK (RANFORD) (12-3/1.66) (3-TIME ALL-STAR)
SP DAREK POLASKI (VALMARA) (12-5/1.83) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
SP PRIMO SIRAK (VALMARA) (13-2/2.27) (2-TIME ALL-STAR)
SP CARROLL COLLIER (MIDDLEFIELD) (13-3/2.44) (3-TIME ALL-STAR)
SP BENNY MCDANIEL (GLASCO) (12-4/2.36) (2-TIME ALL-STAR)
SP JUSTIN MENARD (LAGRANGE) (12-4/2.99) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
SP LOU CARLSON (WALESKA) (11-5/2.84) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
CL KEN MCLIN (GLASCO) (4-1/0.91/11 SAVES) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
C RYAN NELMS (TARANTO) (.272/19/48/41) (4-TIME ALL-STAR)
C FRANK PENN (FAR MOUNTAIN) (.268/3/31/40) (2-TIME ALL-STAR)
C CARNEY KIRKPATRICK (ROCKY RAPIDS) (.293/8/29/30) (3-TIME ALL-STAR)
1B VIRGIL BELISLE (RANFORD) (.353/16/48/48) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
1B CHUCK GREGORY (BELLE PLAINE) (.333/14/50/36) (2-TIME ALL-STAR)
1B BENNY HULL (GRAND CITY) (..351/18/55/39) (8-TIME ALL-STAR)
2B JOJO DELUCCA (CLAXTON) (.296/12/52/39) (12-TIME ALL-STAR)
2B MILT SWALLOW (COLD CREEK) (.270/18/59/44) (4-TIME ALL-STAR)
3B JOE COCHRANE (COLD CREEK) (.333/15/52/62) (5-TIME ALL-STAR)
3B PHIL WILSON (TARANTO) (.331/8/49/40) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
SS LUCIEN LINDSEY (FORT BENTON) (.357/3/40/35) (2-TIME ALL-STAR)
SS MYLON TOWNER (FAR MOUNTAIN) (.290/3/35/45) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
SS GONZIE SPENCER (RANFORD) (.330/4/29/34) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
LF KUMA TOYOTA (TARANTO) (.304/31/65/59) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
LF MIKE JOSEPHSON (COLD CREEK) (.342/4/28/41) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
CF JOEY HAWKINS (RANFORD) (.340/13/41/45) (2-TIME ALL-STAR)
CF ANDRE CHIRAC (LAGRANGE) (.357/5/32/36) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
CF FREDDIE WOODRUFF (FORT BENTON)(.326/4/32/48) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
RF JIMMY JOHN RAMSEY (CLAXTON) (.311/4/19/47) (2-TIME ALL-STAR)
RF DENNY HENDRIX (SAN DIMAS) (.300/19/51/38) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
RF LENNY BUISSON (BELLE PLAINE) (.312/17/40/44) (4-TIME ALL-STAR)

TYCOBBIAN UNION ALL-STARS

SP WILL MCKINNEY (SAN ALEJO) (14-1/1.56) (6-TIME ALL-STAR)
SP ERIK BRANHAM (ARLON) (12-4/1.64) (ROOKIE ALL-STAR)
SP LUCIUS QUARLES (HIGH MESA) (.13-4/1.84) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
SP SONNY WHEAT (RED BLUFF) (.12-2/2.23) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
SP BEAU MCCLOUD (MIDWAY) (14-5/2.34) (2-TIME ALL-STAR)
SP LANNY GRAY (ARLON) (11-4/2.46) (2-TIME ALL-STAR)
SP JOHNNY WINGATE (DENTON CITY) (12-6/2.39) (DEBUT ALL=STAR)
CL PUDGY PUTMAN (EAST POINT) (6-2/2.15/12 SAVES) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
C TUFFY PALMIERI (OZARKA) (.349/2/20/39) (ROOKIE ALL-STAR)
C CORKY DINOZZO (KENWOOD) (.300/9/39/32) (13-TIME ALL-STAR)
C SCOTT COURTNEY (FAIRFAX) (.297/1133/39) (7-TIME ALL-STAR)
1B CLIVE CAVINESS (BAY ST. CLAIR) ).270/16/50/37) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
1B ALVARO CAVACOS (EAST POINT) (.316/25/64/48) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
1B ERNIE MOXLEY (HILLSBORO) (.284/22/64/43) (2-TIME ALL-STAR)
2B MIGUEL ROMEROS (ROLLING HILLS) (.324/16/57/38) (2-TIME ALL-STAR)
2B KENT MANTLE (CAPE CORAL) (..319/15/53/38) (4-TIME ALL-STAR)
3B GOOSE FULTON (MAHASKA) (.345/16/59/52) (2-TIME ALL-STAR)
3B KAX CLARK (MIDWAY) (.337/5/52/47) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
3B ANDREAS STOKKE (HIGH MESA) (.302/18/48/39) (3-TIME ALL-STAR)
SS JUSTIN MCRAE (EAST POINT) (.344/4/33/44) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
SS RUSSELL TAYLOR (ARROYO GRANDE) (.322/7/38/46) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
LF SOGO TAKAGI (GINZA) (.295/16/42/52) (10-TIME ALL-STAR)
LF JOHNNY HELWIG (CHICOPEE) (.328/10/41/46) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
CF KELTON MCFALLS (COLCHESTER) (.325/23/63/57) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
CF PABLO TEIXEIRA (SAN ALEJO) (.351/20/48/57) (7-TIME ALL-STAR)
CF NORISHIGE ITO (ARROYO GRANDE) (.371/16/58/51) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
RF GRAIG SUTTON (COLCHESTER) (.303/16/53/42) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)
RF MEL SHADWELL (OXFORD) (.332/11/41/45) (DEBUT ALL-STAR)

Sorry, I fouled up... no All-Star Game this year... I tried to give the Ruthlandian Union the homefield advantage by switching them to the home team in the schedule editor... I always play the All-Star Game at the home of the defending Pro Cup champion.

You can't do this... there is no way in the schedule editor to do it... only the regular teams are listed there.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, June 21, 2051

3-TEAM RACE IN RUTHLANDIAN NORTH
After three months of play it looks like a three-team tussle in the Ruthlandian North between surprising Glasco, Pro Cup champion Valmara and Ranford... picked for fifth place the Glasco Athletics have kept up with Vipers and they even have a one-game lead at the end of June... the Ranford Bulls are still in the hunt, trailing by just five games... it was four-team battle until the LaGrange Sports slumped this month... both Glasco and Valmara have tremendous pitching and the Bulls have the bats... this trio of clubs seem to be the class of the Ruthlandian Union this year... though the Sugar Valley Rattlers of the RU East and the Middlefield Roosters of the RU West might have a say in the matter come playoff time.

WALESKA TOPS ST. JOHN BY 4 IN RU SOUTH
Preseason favorite Waleska so far is living up to its billing with a four-game edge over last year's division champ St. John Crusaders... they look like the main conterders... in third and fourth place the Valka Blackhawks and Claxton Diamonds are quite a way back, eight and nine games off the pace of the leaders... neither the Westerners, nor the Crusaders are expected to do well in the postseason.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, July 1, 2051

RATTLERS ALL ALONE IN RU EAST
With a nine-game lead the Sugar Valley Rattlers are well on their way to another Ruthlandian East Division crown, their seventh in nine seasons... there are no challengers in sight.

MIDDLEFIELD ATOP RU WEST
It's pretty much the same in the Ruthlandian West race... the Middlefield Roostars have won it the last two seasons and five times in seven years... the Roosters have a solid six-game margin over second place Stoner... and are eight games better tha the Fort Benton Defenders and Colfax Blasters in third place... none of them are likely to overtake Middlefield with its superior pitching.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, June 21, 2051

RASCALS-ZORROS WAR RAGES IN TU NORTH
The powerhouse White River Rascals, runner-up in the Pro Cup Finals, have a war on its hands... the Rascals were forecast to handily whipped everybody in sight in the Tycobbian North for the second year in a row... but thus far the pesky Luxora Zorros are making a race of it, just four games behind... the third place Mahaska Haymakers slipped behind by seven games with a poor 12-14 June.

6-TEAM LOGJAM IN TU SOUTH
What a race it is in the Tycobbian South Division with everybody and their brother still in the hunt... Turon and San Alejo are tied for the top spot, followed closely by Colchester, just a game out... lightly-regarded Cape Coral is only two games behind in fourth place... Ginza, picked for the basement, trails by only four games in the fifth spot and the preseason pick, Southport, is below .500 and six games back and in sixth place... all of the clubs have pretty good offense... pitching is what will make the difference in the second half of the season... don't count off the Southport Sun Sox just yet.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, July 1, 2052

HIGH MESA #1 IN TU EAST RAT RACE
The High Mesa Cowboys are riding high in the Tycobbian East Division, but not by much... in a rat race where seven of the eight teams have better than .500 records, the Cowpokes are up by just two over the reigning division champion East Point Panthers... Hillsboro is only two games out of first in third... Midway is in fourth, but just 5 games out... fifth place Red Bluff is eight behind High Mesa and the Tuckanarra Blues are nine games over .500, but are 12 games off pace... even seventh place Ozarka is 42-39 on the year, but trails by 12 games... the Hillsboro Blazers have the best staff with High Mesa, Red Bluff and Midway not far behind... the Cowboys, Panther and Wolves excell at the plate... and the Red Sox and Blazers have the power... this one's too close to call.

CHAMPS BEST IN TU WEST
Super duper pitching has the Arlon Champions in first place in the Tycobbian West... they are up by five games on last year's winner Bay St. Clair Buccaneers... six in front of Denton City... and seven ahead of Rollings Hills... in the long run it will probably get down to the main two contenders... the Champs and the Bucs... they have the pitching.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, September 19, 2051

IPA PRO CUP CHALLENGERS DECIDED
The preseason pollsters were pretty much correct in their predictions for the 2051 Islandian Pro Alliance season... five of the favorites won, so most of the good old boys are back to battle again in the Pro Cup playoffs... however, three underdogs pulled off upsets and made the cut... the San Alejo Montaneros were rated the fifth-best club in the Tycobbian South Division in the preseason, but came away with the pennant... and for the first time in the club's history, the downtrodden and usually hopeless Hillsboro Blazers have captured the Tycobbian East... Hillsboro was the last remaining IPA franchise that had never made the Pro Cup playoffs... the Blazers were forecast to come in no better than fifth this year... and the Arlon Champions were victorious in the TU West.. the Champs were ranked number third in the preseason.

Valmara will be seeking its record-setting fifth IPA crown... Waleska its fourth... San Alejo, Sugar Valley and Middlefield have won one title each... and White River, Arlon and Hillsboro are still seeking their first Pro Cup.

Ruthlandian Union Round-Up
All of the preseason picks came out on top in the Ruthlandian Union... for the ninth time in 11 years the powerful Valmara Vipers prevailed in the Ruthlandian North... they will be seeking a third consecutive Pro Cup... in the RU South the Waleska Westerners claimed a playoff spot for the first time since '39... for the fourth successive year and seventh time in nine seasons the Sugar Valley Rattlers triumphed in the RU East... and the Middlefield Roosters were the best in the Ruthlandian West for the third straight year and fifth time in seven seasons.

Tycobbian Union Season Wrap
The Tycobbian league didn't play out true-to-form like the Ruthlandian Union... three of the critics' choices failed to win... all of them were the defending division champions... Southport, Bay St. Clair and East Point couldn't repeat... the only returning titleholder was the White River Rascals, who easily outclassed everybody in the Tycobbian North for the fourth year in a row... after a year's absence San Alejo is returning to the postseason... the Monties whipped Turon in a single-game playoff for the TU South flag... Hillsboro knocked off the East Point Panthers in a close race in the Tycobbian East... and Arlon came home the winner in the TU West... the last time the Champions were in the Pro Cup playoffs was in '43.

Pro Cup Schedule
The IPA Pro Cup playoffs will begin tomorrow afternoon with reigning champ Valmara hosting the Waleska Westerners, Sugar Valley entertaining the Middlefield Roosters, White River will be at home going up against the San Alejo Montaneros and Arlon will be on the road in Hillsboro... all of them will best-of-seven series.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, September 19, 2051

2051 ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE FINAL STANDINGS

2051 ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE FINAL LEADERBOARDS

Ruthlandian Union Leaderboard