2053 Midseason Tycobbian Union Team Pitching Statistics
Tuesday, July 1, 2053

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 22, 2053

FEW PENNANT RACES IN IPA THIS YEAR
Tight finishes, down-to-the wire duels, intense stretch drives were nowhere to be found in the Islandian Pro Alliance this year... 6 of the 8 divisions were no contest at all... only the Ruthlandian South and Tycobbian West had any kind of pennant chases... the rest were runaways... and dominant teams continued to dominate their divisions.

For the second straight season the Taranto Tars (103-51) easily manhandled the Ruthlandian North Division, winning by a whopping 20 games over the second place Ancona Red Elephants (83-71), 22 better than the third place Ranford Bulls (81-73) and 23 games ahead of the fourth place Valmara Vipers (80-74)... the Tars built up an 8-game margin over the Bulls at the All-Star Game and never looked back, winning in a walkover.

At least in the Ruthlandian South Division there was a season-long battle for the pennant... the Waleska Westerners (90-64) held off the clinging Grand City Cybercats (85-69) by 5 games... the Westerners have won the division the last three years... the St. John Crusaders (79-75) came in third and the Belair Beach Sunbirds (76-78) wound up in the fourth spot, a distant 11 and 14 games off the pace respectively.

In the Ruthlandian East Division the Wyannamac Sundowners (89-65) had a cakewalk in the second half of the year, defeating the runner-up Elnora All-Stars (78-76) by 11 games... they were the only two division clubs to top the .500 mark... the WMACS copped the division for the second successive season... in the final standings in spot number three was the Marston Nine (75-79), 14 GB... followed by the fourth place Cold Creek Catamounts (74-80), 15 games behind in the race... the All-Stars, Nine, Cats and Belle Plaine Musketeers stayed relatively close until the middle of the season, then faded in the second half... midway in the year the Sundowners led Elnora by only 3 games, Marston by 5 and the Catamounts and Muskies by 7.

The current Pro Cup titleholder, the Middlefield Roosters (99-55) won their 5th consecutive division flag and will defend their laurels again in the postseason playoffs after stomping everybody in sight in the Ruthlandian West Division... the Roosters rambled to a 9-game margin over the second place Sligo Rovers (90-64)... they had a 15-game bulge over the third place Rocky Rapids Snappers (84-70) and were 20 games in front of the Forest City Firebirds (79-75) in spot number four... the fifth place Volusia Vigilantes (76-78) and Rovers stayed in the hunt until midyear, then fell back... the V's trailed by 5 games at the All-Star game, while Sligo was 6 games out.

The Oxford Red Caps (91-63) roared to a second straight Tycobbian North Division title in a waltz, topping the runner-up White River Rascals (80-74) by 11 games... third place went to the Blue Lake Blue Sox (76-78) and the North Hills Hawks (76-78), who were tied, 15 games back in the race... the Blue Sox had a one-game edge over the Red Caps at midseason, but couldn't keep up the pace in the second half of the year... the Rascals were 5 games behind at the halfway mark and the Hawks were 8 games out.

For awhile the Turon Typhoons (101-53) had a mild challenge from Summerland (82-72) in the Tycobbian South Division, but the Sunsets sputtered out after the mid-year mark ... the Typhoons expanded their lead from 7 games to a humongous 19 games and won in a gigantic blowout... it's the second year in a row Turon has taken the division flag in a rout... they won by 15 games last year... 22 games behind and tied for the third spot in the division were the Southport Sun Sox (79-74) and the San Alejo Montaneros (79-74).

There was a pretty fair tussle in the Tycobbian East Division... champion Midway (100-54) only had a 4-game lead over last year's winner East Point (90-64) at the halfway mark, but the Wolves went on a tear in the second half and put the Panthers away by 10 games... the South Fork Stallions (83-71) finished third in the race, 17 GB... and the Tuckanarra Blue Jays (81-73) ended up in the fourth spot, 19 GB.

There was a decent four-club free-for-all in the Tycobbian West Division with Denton City (89-65) beating off the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers (83-71) by 6 games, the La Claire Lynx (81-73) by 8 and the Chicopee Braves (80-74) by 9 games... at midseason the Redbirds only had a scant one-game edge over the Lynx.

The 2053 IPA Pro Cup playoffs will get started this Wednesday afternoon at four sites around the Islands... in the Ruthlandian Union it will be reigning Pro Cup champion Middlefield (99-55) hosting the Wynnamac Sundowners (89-65) at Middlefield Park and Taranto (103-51) tangling with the Waleska Westerners (90-64) at the Palazzo di Sport... over in the Tycobbian Union Midway (100-54) will entertain the Denton City Redbirds (89-65) at Joe Wolf Stadium and Turon (101-53) will welcome the Oxford Red Caps (91-63) to Typhoon Stadium... the first two games will be played at these venues and then will switch to the visitors' ballparks for the next three games, if they are needed.

2053 Ruthlandian Union Final Player Batting and Pitching Leaderboards

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THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 22, 2053

TARS TEAR UP RU NORTH, 2ND STRAIGHT FLAG
The Taranto Tars sailed to their second straight division title in the Ruthlandian North Division, running up an IPA-best 103 victories and tearing up everything sight... manager Augie Marshall has a high-octane attack that walloped 244 homers, coming within 2 of the Ruthlandian record, set in 2006 by the Tars with 246... the Red Bluff Red Sox of the Tycobbian Union hold the all-time mark with 283 roundtrippers, set in 2045.

TARANTO TARS
This Year: 1st Place (103-51)
Last Year: 1st Place (99-55)
2 Years Ago: 5th Place (82-72) (22 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 6 (2052) (lost to Pro Cup titlist Middlefield in LCS in 7 games)
Pro Cups: (1) 2015 (defeated Bay St. Clair in 5 games)

Team Stats: .274 BA (5th)/774 runs (3rd)/244 HR (1st)/3.05 ERA (4th)/.978 FA (very good defense)

Top Batters: CF Renzo Caruso (.276 BA/37 HR/85 RBI/87 R/18 SB), C Niccolo Parisi (.278/30/73/60), LF Kuma Toyota (.319/29/73/51), All-Star 3B Gaetano Palombo (.311/18/61/78) and 1B Phil Wilson (.270/17/57/87)

Top Pitchers: starters Armani Pizziconi (25-9/3.09), Freddy De Angelis (.17-12/3.17), Mario Martinelli (16-7/3.61), Valerio Rossi (15-9/2.88) and Jaron Montague (14-4/3.31)... reliever Louie Toscano (3-4/2.13/17 saves/36 G)

Forecast: talented team all-around... the Tars easily won the division in spite of losing 23-winner Phil Castle (5-3/2.99) for the season in May... Castle was the '52 MVP, Golden Arm and Rookie of the Year... Taranto should be a big force in the postseason playoffs... could be a thorn to Middlefield's repeat Pro Cup aspirations... the Ruthlandian League Championship Series could be a humdinger if the Tars and Roosters win first-round matches against Waleska and Wynnamac.

Ancona Red Elephants
This Year: 2nd Place (83-71) (20 GB)
Last Year: 7th Place (69-85) (30 GB)
2 Years Ago: 8th Place (57-97) (47 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 5 (last time 2022)
Pro Cups: None

Team Stats: .259 BA (25th)/654 runs (24th)/107 HR (22nd)/3.63 ERA (13th)/.975 FA (good defense)

Top Batters: 1B Raul Suarez (.278 BA/17 HR/70 RBI/53 R), RF Denver Banton (.268/15/60/51), LF Woodrow Doss (.277/13/58/80/13 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Hank Worsley (22-10/3.76), Roger Kostas (14-15/3.79), Benjie Scaggs (12-143/38)... relievers Kasey Tharp (7-7/1.82/23 saves/51 G), Kylan Hamilton (2-2/2.24/6 saves/37 G), Vince Atkins (6-3/1.16/6 saves/34 G)

Forecast: much improved this season... manager Alekos Kotas still needs better bats to get into the pennant hunt... not close to Taranto yet.

Ranford Bulls
This Year: 3rd Place (81-73) (22 GB)
Last Year: 3rd Place (83-71) (16 GB)
2 Years Ago: 3rd Place (100-54) (4 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 7 (last time 2041)
Pro Cups: 1 (2040... beat Summerland Sunsets in 7 games)

Team Stats: .265 BA (18th)/697 runs (16th)/129 HR (13th)/3.58 ERA (12th)/.975 FA (good defense)

Top Batters: 2B Don Connell (.268 BA/25 HR/101 RBI/84 R), 1B Virgil Belisle (.307/16/73/67), CF Joey Hawkins (.304/15/61/77/20), LF Zach Isom (.297/15/68/88/4 SB), RF Rory O'Herlihy (.283/15/65/61/3 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters All-Star Ralph Hawk (22-9/2.54), Dutch Hawood (12-14/3.52), Neil Martin (12-12/4.08), Todd Cole (10-17/4.25)... reliever Martin Futch (10-10/2.97/25 saves/64 G)

Forecast: skipper Kyle Hunt has a better-than-average team... first division club for sure... could be as high a second-best in the RU North.

Valmara Vipers
This Year: 4th Place (80-74) (23 GB)
Last Year: 2nd Place (94-60) (5 GB)
2 Years Ago: 1st (104-50)
Playoff Appearances: 20 (last time in 2050... won Pro Cup... whipped White River Rascals in 4-game sweep)
Pro Cups: 4 (2026, 2043, 2049, 2050)

Team Stats: .263 BA (20th), 685 runs (19th), 114 HR (18th), 3.14 ERA (5th), .981 FA (excellent defense)

Top Batters: C Karol Koska (.263 BA/26 HR/81 RBI/62 R), LF Boyd Holmes (.306/20/71/95/4 SB), 3B Jorge Aparicio (.315/8/63/70/14 SB), SS Ken Jensen (.278/7/61/78/21 SB), CF Don Ritchie (.276/5/58/60/11 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Darus Grajek (19-9/2.73), Primo Sirak (17-13/2.54), Darek Polaski (14-20/3.32)

Forecast: manager Vanya Vasylenko still has a solid starting rotation, but the bullpen has slipped from the banner years when the Vipers copped 7 division flags and 3 Pro Cups in 11 years... bats and offense have slipped much, too... not the dominant club they used to be... still capable of finishing anywhere from 2nd to 4th... no longer in Taranto's class.

Far Mountain Redhawks
This Year: 5th Place (79-75) (24 GB)
Last Year: 6th Place (75-79) (24 GB)
2 Years Ago: 7th Place (73-81) (31 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 14 (last time in 2047... fell in 6 games to Pro Cup finalist Middlefield in LCS
Pro Cups: 3 (2011, 2012, 2013)

Team Stats: .254 BA (28th)/671 runs (21st)/119 HR (17th)/3.63 ERA (14th)/.975 FA (good defense)

Top Batters: CF Ox Gless (.290 BA/23 HR/86 RBI/88 R/16 SB), LF Frankie Neill (.271/30/80/81)

Top Pitchers: starters Benny Van (17-16/2.75), Tony Charles (13-10/3.25), Ryan Kolb (13-19/3.98)... relievers Sid Michaels (3-0/2.53/12 saves/58 G), Brian Townsend (6-5/2.70/12 saves/40 G), Jack McKinney (9-8/4.11/13 saves/70 G)

Forecast: Far Mountain manager Robby Kelly only has a fair-to-middling club, 4th or 5th place at best... has fairly good pitching, but nothing but weak bats... 5th place at best... might squeeze into the first division in the 4th spot.

Kilkenny Cats
This Year: 6th Place (78-76) (25 GB)
Last Year: 4th Place (81-73) (18 GB)
2 Years Ago: 6th Place (78-76) (26 GB)
Playoff Appearances: Kilkenny has only made the postseason one time in its history... that was in 2042 when they lost to Pro Cup finalist Colfax in a sweep in the LCS.
Pro Cups: None

Team Stats: .249 BA (31st), 713 runs (10th), 156 HR (6th), 3.65 ERA (15th), .973 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: All-Star 1B Ryan Reagan (.280 BA/27 HR/106 RBI/78 R), LF Michael Murray (.253/26/76/67/16 SB), 3B Jorge Collazo (.301/17/67/87), SS Ray Vayda (.246/13/59/95/24 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Glen Caswell (18-17/3.33), Dewayne Hague (16-16/2.98), Braydon Washbourne (15-13/4.08)... reliever Larry Burke (3-3/2.77/15 saves/51 G)

Forecast: Cats' skipper Kevin McLaglen needs more contact hitters... still scores well with home-run power... just average mound work... just a middle of the pack team.

Glasco Athletics
This Year: 7th Place (72-82) (31 GB)
Last Year: 5th Place (80-74) (19 GB)
2 Years Ago: 2nd Place (101-53) (3 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 3 (last appearance was in 2045... were defeated in the LCS in 6 games by Pro Cup champ Sugar Valley)
Pro Cups: None

Team Stats: .259 BA/23rd), 571 runs (32nd), 104 HR (23rd), 3.50 ERA (10th), .975 FA (good defense)

Top Batters: batting crown winner LF Callum Slattery (.338 BA/11 HR/72 RBI/72 R/16 SB), SS Ross McFalls (.278/25/82/67/6 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Pat Meyers (17-15/4.09), Evan Walsh (16-17/2.89), Benny McDaniel (15-21/3.46), Harry Hadland (11-18/3.43)... reliever Takae Kawamura (3-2/2.73/6 saves/33 G)

Forecast: A's manager Charles Darby has a good rotation that posted 101 wins just three years ago in '51, but the batters can't hit a lick... until that changes, that will keep Glasco near the bottom of the heap in the Ruthlandian North.

LaGrange Sports
This Year: 8th Place (57-97) (46 GB)
Last Year: 8th Place (54-100) (45 GB)
2 Years Ago: 4th Place (85-69) (19 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 6 (2037 was the most recent year... LaGrange was eliminated by Pro Cup champ Waleska in first-round play in 5 games.
Pro Cups: None

Team Stats: .249 BA (32nd), 595 runs (31st), 120 HR (15th-tied), 4.78 ERA (32nd), .975 FA (good defense)

Top Batters: CF Bobby Rousseau (.278 BA/15 HR/61 RBI/77 R/8 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Rodger Gagnier (15-15/3.89)

Forecast: manager Mike York just has a bad ball club... very little talent... will have trouble getting out of the cellar.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 9, 2053

The Ruthlandian South Division was one of the few close races in the Islandian Pro Alliance this season... the Waleska Westerners (90-64) rode to their 3rd straight division crown, holding off the scrappy Grand City Cybercats (85-69) by 5 games... the Cybercats clung close the entire year... a September swoon did them in... they went 8-12 the final month, while the Westerners rambled off victoriously into the sunset with a 13-7 mark down the stretch... the only other division rival with a winning record was the third place St. John Crusaders (79-75), trailing by 11 games... fourth place went to the Belair Beach Sunbirds (76-78), 14 games off the pace.

WALESKA WESTERNERS
This Year: 1st Place (90-64)
Last Year: 1st Place (90-64)
2 Years Ago: 1st Place (87-67)
Playoff Appearances: 9 (last 3 years, '51, '52... lost to Taranto in 6 games last season)
Pro Cups: 3 (2028, 2037, 2039)... lost to Arlon in '51 finals in 5 games

Team Stats: .276 BA (3rd), 691 runs (18th), 82 HR (30th), 3.16 ERA (6th), .971 FA (fair to average defense)

Top Batters: 2B Richie Fry (.331 BA/1 HR/42 RBI/66 R/15 SB), SS Jingo Jernigan (.303/8/65/92/28 SB), LF Zip McHan (.300/9/54/52), 3B Hisashi Yamaguchi (.289/3/57/61/3 SB), 1B Rob Rice (.282/8/50/40)

Top Pitchers: starters Vince Gibson (25-11/2.57), Kenny Foster (20-12/3.11), Trey Earnest (13-10/3.18) and Lou Carlson (11-15/3.45)... bullpen Niles Nielsen (3-0/1.70 4 saves/23 G)

Forecast: Westerner skipper Roy Hobbs has solid staff, but is short on scoring and longballs... also has to beat two of the top clubs in the IPA to get out of the Ruthlandian Union into the Pro Cup Finals... Taranto and Middlefield are first-class powers... Waleska just might be the fourth-best team in the Ruthlandian Union.

Grand City Cybercats
This Year: 2nd Place (89-55) (5 GB)
Last Year: 3rd Place (81-73) (9 GB)
2 Years Ago: 5th Place (tie) (70-84) (17 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 3 (most recent was in 2030... in first round fell to Pro Cup runner-up Valmara in 6 games)
Pro Cups: None

Team Stats: .271 BA (7th), 719 runs (8th), 76 HR (31st), 3.44 ERA (9th), .973 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: All-Star CF Rocco Valverdi (.318 BA/16 HR/57 RBI/85 R/24 SB), 3B Scott McIntyre (.307/9/70/64/7 SB), RF Harland Blankenship (.303/1/59/73/5 SB), SS Randy Littleton (.283/7/63/75/4 SB), LF Dave Durocher (.277/12/74/79/9 SB), 1B Zane Faulkner (.274/3/85/51), 2B Laney Carrigan (.275/1/64/56/12 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Joel Eaton (21-13/2.83), Roy Tuthill (16-17/3.11), Frank Long (15-8/3.67), Jimmy Engels (10-9/4.02), bullpen Kent Douglas (9-5/2.23/15 saves/56 G)

Forecast: manager Thomas Hall has a good club, quality staff, but lacks power in the lineup... should be a pennant contender for the coming seasons... has young club... but no threat in the postseason yet... not as good as Waleska yet.

St. John Crusaders
This Year: 3rd Place (79-75) (11 GB)
Last Year: 8th Place (66-88) (24 GB)
2 Years Ago: 2nd Place (82-72) (5 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 8 (last playoff appearance was in '50... was swept by powerhouse Valmara lost in first round... the Vipers won IPA crown that season
Pro Cups: None (went to the Finals in 2036 and fell in 6 games to juggernaut North Hills, who copped 4 Pro Cup from '34 to '38)

Team Stats: .263 BA (22nd), 720 runs (7th), 97 HR (27th), 3.67 ERA (16th), .980 FA (excellent defense)

Top Batters: 2B Herbie Gruen (.294 BA/15 HR/79 RBI/80 R/8 SB), CF Cris Hershey (.294/13/70/71/4 SB), LF Chuck Coltharpe (.301/12/61/54/10 SB), RF Nolan Cramer (.309/7/52/57/8 SB), 3B Derek McKendrick (.278/6/73/71/13 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Zeke Yoder (17-9/2.88), John Dickinson (15-17/3.78), Teddy de Grun (14-16/3.66)... not a lot in the bullpen

Forecast: Crusader manager Nicky Farrugia only has so-so talent... just a run-of-the-mill club... can score, but has no firepower.. not likely to challenge for division flag anytime soon.

Belair Beach Sunbirds
This Year: 4rd Place (76-78) (14 GB)
Last Year: 4th Place (tie) (70-84) (20 GB)
2 Years Ago: 7th Place (68-86) (19 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 8 (last made the postseason in '47 (84-70)... eliminated in first round by Far Mountain (101-53)
Pro Cups: None (reached the Finals in 2014... lost to the Kenwood Wildcats in 7 games)

Team Stats: .259 BA (24th), 711 runs (11th), 101 HR (24th-tied), 3.55 ERA (11th), .975 FA (good defense)

Top Batters: LF Andy Williams (.304 BA/4 HR/73 RBI/78 R/10 SB), 1B Shannon Stewart (.282/8/67/73), All-Star 2B Alvaro Abreu (.291/5/42/90/12 SB), 3B Rusty Van Slyke (.294/8/68/39)

Top Pitchers: starters Tommy Hester (18-17/3.36), Glen Long (14-8/3.79), Kevin Tolbert (12-17/3.40), Jeffrey Verblen (11-17/3/65)... bullpen Tom Cook (6-7/3.06/15 saves/56 G)

Forecast: Sunbird skipper Bob Meusel just has a ho-hum team... will have to have better pitching and more firepower to contend for division pennant... probably won't happen soon.

Valka Blackhawks
This Year: 5th Place (75-79) (15 GB)
Last Year: 3rd Place (81-73) (9 GB)
2 Years Ago: 5th Place (tie) (70-84) (17 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 4 (years ago was last time in 2017... were toppled by eventual Pro Cup winner, the Eastshore Elegants... were swept by a really fine team that won two consecutive Pro Cups)
Pro Cups: None

Team Stats: .252 BA (29th), 649 runs (26th-tied), 112 HR (19th), 3.78 ERA (18th), .979 FA (excellent defense)

Top Batters: RF Mel Shadwell (.287 BA/17 HR/112 RBI/73 R/10 SB), CF Artie Marciano (.309/15/101/65/7), 3B Corey Belk (.302/7/49/77/14 SB)

Top Pitchers: Maksim Moroz (14-14/3.17), Ilmar Olesk (13-14/3.77), Arvi Tamm (13-14/3.99), Adrian Stenhouse (12-16/3.83)... not much of a bullpen

Forecast: Blackhawk manager Arno Vainmaa doesn't have much offense and only a lackluster pitching staff... just a second division club... might be capable of contending for the fourth spot in the RU South standings.

Claxton Diamonds
This Year: 6th Place (67-87) (23 GB)
Last Year: 6th Place (70-84) (20 GB)
2 Years Ago: 3rd Place (tie) (74-80) (13 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 14 (most recent pennant was in '49... lost to IPA winner Valmara in 5 games in first round that year... won 4 flags in 5 seasons '45 to '49)
Pro Cups: None (got to Pro Cup Finals in '47, but lost to the Rolling Hills Reds in 5 games)

Team Stats: .266 BA (12th), 694 runs (17th), 147 HR (8th), 4.53 ERA (29th), .966 FA (poor defense)

Top Batters: All-Star 2B Jojo DeLucca (.276 BA/22 HR/74 RBI/88 R/4 SB), RF Jimmy John Ramsey (.277/21/76/53/5 SB), 1B Reece Somerset (.261/19/80/76), CF Kyler Riley (.343/14/43/60/7 SB), C Sid Fitzgerald (.290/13/62/49), LF Konrad Neumann (.284/12/47/67/17 SB)

Top Pitchers: starter Claus Antoon (10-18/4.06)... bullpen Ramon Santos (4-3/2.59/11 saves/38 G)

Forecast: Claxton skipper Jojo DeLucca, a playing manager, doesn't have much in the way of players... no pitching at all... not much offense... lousy fielding... but the team hits with some punch... destined for the second division for awhile.

Crystal Lake Skippers
This Year: 7th Place (66-88) (24 GB)
Last Year: 4th Place (tie) (70-84) (20 GB)
2 Years Ago: 8th Place (65-89) (22 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 10 (last postseason play was in '44... defeated in 7 games in the LCS by Wynnamac... the Sundowners dropped a 7-game Pro Cup Finals to the Southport Sun Sox... Crystal Lake captured 3 division crowns from '40 to '44.
Pro Cups: 2 (2020... whipped Ozarka Naturals in 5 games... 2022... topped Midway Wolves in 5 games)

Team Stats: .272 BA (6th), 666 runs (22nd-tied), 144 HR (9th), 4.39 ERA (25th), .972 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: SS Gib Conlan (.293 BA/24 HR/67 RBI/62 R), LF Zippy Coburn (.308/16/61 55/6 SB)

Top Pitchers: starter Steve Leslie (17-16/3.94)... bullpen Josh Crosby (7-10/3.73/28 saves/63 G)

Forecast: manager Duncan Welch has a tough row to hoe... dim future for the Skippers... more of the second division... not much good except for some good pop in the bats... little else.

San Dimas Rancheros
This Year: 8th Place (59-95) (31 GB)
Last Year: 4th Place (tie) (70-84) (20 GB)
2 Years Ago: 3rd Place (tie) (74-80) (13 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 4 (last appeared in postseason in 2041... beaten by the Ranford Bulls in the first round in 7 games
Pro Cups: None (never have reached the Finals... lost in first round all 4 years in the playoffs)

Team Stats: .266 BA (16th), 649 runs (26th-tied), 120 HR (15th-tied), 4.44 ERA (28th), .970 FA (fair defense)

Top Batters: SS Mickey Booth (.320 BA/22 HR/87 RBI/72 R), LF Wesley Quinton (.308/7/61/64/15 SB), RF Gilberto Gallardo (.263/21/79/79), CF Johnny Locke (.298/4/38/68/16 SB), 2B Eduardo Ortiz (.267/15/70/59), 1B Joaquin Vargas (.283/14/51/45)

Forecast: Ranchero manager Shannon White appears to have the worst team in the RU South... weak pitching, mediocre offense, some power and just fair defensively... San Dimas needs a lot of improvement in a lot of places... will remain near the bottom of the standings.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 22, 2053

WMACS WIN 2ND STRAIGHT RU EAST FLAG
There was race in the Ruthlandian East Division, but for only half a season... the Wynnamac Sundowners wound up winning in a romp, but they were tested by four other clubs in the first half of the campaign, then they all fizzled and faded out... Wynnamac (89-65) strolled to the division flag 11 games ahead of the second place Elnora All-Stars (78-76), 14 better than third place Marston (75-79) and 15 games in front of fourth place Cold Creek (74-80) and Belle Plaine (74-80)... the RU East is one of the weaker divisions in the Islandian Pro Alliance... just two clubs possess a winning record.

WYNNAMAC SUNDOWNERS
This Year: 1st Place (89-65)
Last Year: 1st Place (95-59)
2 Years Ago: 3rd Place (85-69) (18 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 8 (most recently lost in the first round last year to Pro Cup winner Middlefield in 6 games)
Pro Cups: 1 (only IPA crown came in 2008... beat Denton City in 6-game series... also reached the Finals in 2044, but were defeated the Southport Sun Sox in 7 games)

Team Stats: .270 BA (9th), 705 runs (13th), 100 HR (26th), 3.03 ERA (2nd), .974 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: CF Dickie Key (.299 BA/21 HR/96 RBI/80 R/10 SB), 1B Enos Benham (.352/13/60/76/4 SB), C Jethro Bibbs (.301/7/58/76), LF Marv Washburn (.298/12/64/64/18 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Sammy Hayes (23-14/2.26), Simon Northcott (22-10/2.50), James Duncan (15-14/2.79), George Medworth (11-11/3.49)... not much in the bullpen

Forecast: Wynnamac manager Jerry Meeks has the starting pitching to give both Middlefield and Taranto problems in the postseason playoffs, but lacks the scoring ability to compete with them.

Elnora All-Stars
This Year: 2nd Place (78-76) (11 GB)
Last Year: 3rd Place (83-71) (12 GB)
2 Years Ago: 7th Place (68-86) (35 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 9 (last appeared in the playoffs in '35... they were swept by the Tuckanarra Blue Jays)
Pro Cups: 1 (All-Stars won their only Pro Cup in '33 by beating East Point in 7 games)

Team Stats: .290 BA (1st), 833 runs (2nd), 163 HR (5th), 4.62 ERA (30th), .971 FA (fair defense)

Top Batters: All-Star 1B Gus Abreu (.315 BA/20 HR/90 RBI/112 R), All-Star Donald Ray Mooney (.329/23/91/77), 2B Mickey Wilbur (.291/22/89/92/7 SB), CF Pedro Abreu (.321/14/59/86/12 SB), SS Bobby Lee Carnahan (.288/10/66/72), 3B Dickie DeBusshere (.315/11/77/64/8 SB), LF Robb Norwood (.297/16/66/60/3 SB), C Jarrick Gayden (.284/11/74/59)

Top Pitchers: starters Billy Ehrenreich (19-16/4.21), Wade Mendenhall (15-15/4.47)... bullpen Leland Schofield (6-5/2.61/13 saves/40 G)

Forecast: skipper Stan Kivas has a strong attack at the plate, but is seriously lacking on the mound... must improve greatly on the hill to challenge for the pennant.

Marston Nine
This Year: 3rd Place (75-79) (14 GB)
Last Year: 2nd Place (86-68) (9 GB)
2 Years Ago: 2nd Place (94-60) (9 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 7 (2047 was their last appearance)
Pro Cups: None (made the postseason in '47... fell to Pro Cup runner-up Middlefield in 7 games in the opening round)

Team Stats: .266 BA (15th), 666 runs (22nd-tied), 134 HR (11th-tied), 3.74 ERA (17th), .976 FA (good defense)

Top Batters: All-Star C Boomer Merritt (.290 BA/26 HR/99 RBI/76 R/4 SB), 1B John Rodgers (.271/25/84/59), 2B Damien D'Amboise (.275/10/72/90/21 SB), 3B Jarrod Crutchfield (.260/16/60/52/3 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Snooky Knaup (17-20/3.05), John Newton (14-16/3.47), Mel Pritchard (13-9/3.49)... bullpen Robert Tringle (8-5/1.91/15 saves/58 G)

Forecast: manager Russ Woodward has seen his hitting and pitching slip the last two seasons... now just a middle-of-the-pack club.

Cold Creek Catamounts
This Year: 4th Place (tie) (74-80) (15 GB)
Last Year: 7th Place (62-92) (33 GB)
2 Years Ago: 6th Place (69-85) (34 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 8 (won pennant in '41)
Pro Cups: None (in '41 lost in Pro Cup title series in 7 games to powerful North Hills Hawks... Cold Creek captured 5 division flags in 6 seasons, 2036 to 2041)

Team Stats: .265 BA (17th), 709 runs (12th), 150 HR (7th), 4.43 ERA (27th), .980 FA (excellent defense)

Top Batters: RF Mel Parnell (.274 BA/32 HR/111 RBI/80 R/7 SB), LF Jimmy Lange (.288/28/77/95/13 SB), 2B Milt Swallow (.278/16/67/53), 1B Bobby Dundee (.315/14/57/61)

Top Pitchers: starters Andres Padilla (13-15/4.78)... bullpen Rodger Brockhoff (12-4/2.30/6 saves/55 G), Zee Dial (4-2/3.36/12 saves/52 G)

Forecast: manager J. J. Gillespie has some home-run punch in his line-up and impressive defense, but little else... 4th to 5th place team at best.

Belle Plaine Musketeers
This Year: 4th Place (tie) (74-80) (15 GB)
Last Year: 6th Place (69-85) (26 GB)
2 Years Ago: 4th Place (77-77) (26 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 1 (occurred long ago in 2009... lost in first round)
Pro Cups: None

Team Stats: .284 BA (2nd), 765 runs (4th), 194 HR (3rd), 4.33 ERA (24th), .974 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: superstar All-Star RF Lenny Buisson (.326 BA/52 HR/135 RBI/103 R/9 SB), 1B Chuck Gregory (.306/34/80/88), SS Kendell Hanks (.295/17/61/82)

Top Pitchers: starters Al McKeown (21-14/3.80), Al Poirot (15-13/4.21)... bullpen Clint Quick (6-4/3.47/24 saves/64 G)

Forecast: the Muskies can muster runs in abundance, but also give them up in abundance... manager Slick Hammill has a plethora of potent bats, but very little on the hill... similar to Cold Creek... will fight it out for 4th or 5th place.

Beechwood Blues
This Year: 6th Place (70-84) (19 GB)
Last Year: 5th Place (73-81) (22 GB)
2 Years Ago: 8th Place (62-92) (41 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 3 (nothing recent... '26 and '27 were the last division titles... lost in RU title series to Pro Cup champ Valmara in 2026... most recent pennant was in 2027.
Pro Cups: None (never got past Ruthlandian title game)

Team Stats: .250 BA (30th), 616 runs (29th), 110 HR (20th), 3.99 ERA (20th), .976 FA (good defense)

Top Batters: 1B Daryl Brady (.289 BA/25 HR/71 RBI/58 R), CF Rod McClellan (.278/23/86/75/7 SB), 2B Arlen Buchanan (.245/8/68/74/3 SB), RF Darrel Felton (.318/5/31/57/10 SB), SS Eldon Gilbert (.258/7/54/71)

Top Pitchers: starters Harper Killen (16-17/3.66), Sandy Wilbur (14-15/3.99), Lenny Medford (11-14/3.45)... bullpen D. W. Downs (5-3/0.49/9 saves/34 G)

Forecast: Blues are just a second-division team... manager Maury Patterson needs a lot of help in a lot of places to climb higher in the standings.

Sugar Valley Rattlers
This Year: 7th Place (68-86) (21 GB)
Last Year: 4th Place (77-77) (18 GB)
2 Years Ago: 1st Place (103-51)
Playoff Appearances: 18 (most recent in 2051... fell to Waleska in the Ruthlandian League Championship Series in 5 games)
Pro Cups: 1 (whipped Southport Sun Sox in 6 games in 2045 for their only IPA crown... and lost in the Pro Cup Finals twice... to the Red Bluff Red Sox in '04 and to the Tuckanarra Blue Jays in '24)

Team Stats: .267 BA (11th), 735 runs (5th), 189 HR (4th), 4.42 ERA (26th), .972 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: 1B Deke Lundy (.348 BA/46 HR/116 RBI/87 R), LF Carl Ramsey (.276/33/89/85/5 SB), All-Star SS Tuck Alstott (.282/25/86/105/26 SB), RF Tyler Alban (.296/19/72/74/7 SB)

Top Pitchers: starter Dale Johns (17-17/4.53)... nothing worth mentioning in bullpen... actually not much on the entire staff

Forecast: Rattler skipper Bobby Gamble need some young blood... the team has gotten old the last few years... a former powerhouse, Sugar Valley can still sting the ball, but the fine pitching of a few years ago has disintegrated quite suddenly... they posted a standout 2.81 ERA in '51... has skyrocketed to 4.42 in '53.

Eastshore Cotton Kings
This Year: 8th Place (67-87) (22 GB)
Last Year: 8th Place (59-95) (36 GB)
2 Years Ago: 5th Place (70-84) (33 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 7 (the last pennant came two decades ago in '34)
Pro Cups: 2 (won back-to-back IPA titles in '16 and '17... knocking off Ozarka in a 4-game sweep and Turon in a tough 7-game affair)

Team Stats: .255 BA (27th), 644 runs (28th), 92 HR (28th), 4.32 ERA (23rd), .972 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: 1B Herman Fair (.282 BA/21 HR/76 RBI/77 R/9 SB)... sorry nothing else in the line-up


Top Pitchers: starter Malcolm Tansbury (16-14/3.61)... bullpen Trent Niven (4-5/2.47/18 saves/51 G)

Forecast: sorry to say it, but manager Scotty Lagrange just has a plain bad ball team... not a lot of talent on the roster.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 22, 2053

5TH STRAIGHT RU WEST FLAG FOR ROOSTERS
The Middlefield Roosters are on a monumental roll... they have captured the division crown in the Ruthlandian West for the fifth time in a row... the reigning IPA Pro Cup champion Roosters (99-55) won handily by 9 games over runner-up Sligo (90-64), 15 games better than third place Rocky Rapids (84-70) and 20 games ahead of fourth place Forest City (79-75)... Middlefield was only mildly challenged, holding a 5-game edge over Volusia and a 6-game lead over Sligo at the All-Star break... the Vigilantes (76-78) ended up in fifth place, 23 games behind... nobody seriously contended in the second half of the season... now the Roosters are headed for the Pro Cup playoffs and a shot at their second straight IPA title and will be one of the favorites... Middlefield would like nothing better than to bring home their third Pro Cup trophy... the Roosters won their first back in 2005.

MIDDLEFIELD ROOSTERS
This Year: 1st Place (99-55)
Last Year: 1st Place (106-48)
Two Years Ago: 1st Place (82-72)
Playoff Appearances: 16
Pro Cups: 2 (first one came in 2005... routed Red Bluff in 5 games in 2005... eased by East Point last year in 6 games)

Team Stats: .266 BA (14th), 853 runs (1st), 204 HR (2nd), 3.28 ERA (7th), .976 FA (good defense)

Top Batters: All-Star LF Rufus Blackburn (.259 BA/45 HR/114 RBI/111 R/8 SB), CF Johnny Wyatt (.337/40/133/96/10 SB), 3B Natty Colclough (.238/30/91/85/3 SB), All-Star SS Stan Radzikowski (.320/28/102/98/6 SB), RF Trip Agarn (.268/26/95/63/5 SB)

Top Pitchers: All-Star James Long (23-12/2.37), All-Star Hollis Dale (22-10/3.30), Larry Wheelhouse (15-5/3.93), Carroll Collier (12-12/3.19)... bullpen Ricky Farris (6-4/2.72/11 saves/35 G), Norm Coventry (6-3/2.03/7 saves/40 G), Yazzy Yastrzemski (6-2/2.37/1 save/34 G)

Forecast:manager Ricky Tinker has an aging club, but they are still performing at high levels... will be one of the favorites in the playoffs... could win another Pro Cup with its strong pitching staff and home-run hitters.

Sligo Rovers
This Year: 2nd Place (90-64) (9 GB)
Last Year: 6th Place (74-80) (32 GB)
Two Years Ago: 5th Place (tie) (69-85) (13 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 9 (last appeared over 10 years ago in 2040)
Pro Cups: 1 (2021... whipped White River in 5 games)

Team Stats: .2634 BA (19th), 653 runs (25th), 86 HR (30th), 2.88 ERA (1st), .977 FA (very good defense)

Top Batters: 3B Paddy Durham (.278 BA/15 HR/91 RBI/67 R/15 SB), CF Merle Bliss (.308/14/66/87/28 SB), 1B Tommy Alberts (.318/9/66/63/15 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Mickey Walsh (24-10/2.28), Bruce Belden (21-11/2.85), Mitch Taylor (18-13/3.21), Craig Hurley (13-10/3.03)... bullpen Tiger Snodgrass (5-8/1.76/16 saves/38 G)

Forecast: Rover skipper Les Patterson has strong set of starters and a decent bullpen, but seriously lacks offense... won't challenge for the division title until the bats vastly improve or the Middlefield Roosters retire... will still be a first-division club because of the very fine pitching, first in the IPA at 2.88 ERA... and very good defense.

Rocky Rapids Snappers
This Year: 3rd Place (84-70) (15 GB)
Last Year: 2nd Place (87-67 (19 GB)
Two Years Ago: 8th Place (60-94) (22 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 6 (last played in postseason in '44 and '46)
Pro Cups: 1 (swept all 12 games en route to the Pro Cup in 2019... beat Ozarka in the Finals)

Team Stats: .263 BA (21st), 675 runs (20th), 134 HR (11th - tied), 3.04 ERA (3rd), .971 (fair defense)

Top Batters: 2B Marty Featherstone (.280 BA/23 HR/80 RBI/86 R/3 SB), C Pat Stennett (.324/17/66/68)

Top Pitchers: All-Star Clay Callaghan (21-6/2.09), All-Star Sammy Sterling (20-10/3.14), Jamie Taylor (14-19/3.24)... bullpen Chucky Coxson (4-2/0.49/9 saves/29 G)

Forecast: manager Junior Noland has molded an impressive mound corps, but has trouble scoring runs... will contend for third or fourth place because of good pitchers... not ready to overtake Middlefield... all-time great Jamie Taylor (300-224/2.54 ERA) reached the 300-win milestone this year, but is slowing down a bit at 37.

Forest City Firebirds
This Year: 4th Place (79-75) (20 GB)
Last Year: 3rd Place (85-69) (21 GB)
Two Years Ago: 7th Place (68-86) (14 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 5 (lost in first round in '47 to Sugar Valley in 6 games)
Pro Cups: None (Firebirds have never gone deep into the Pro Cup playoffs... made the second round twice in '02 and '03)

Team Stats: .268 BA (10th), 726 runs (6th), 143 HR (10th), 4.00 ERA (21st), .974 FA (good defense)

Top Batters: 1B Ziggy Regan (.326 BA/9 HR/52 RBI/94 R/28 SB), SS Clancy Beaufort (.286/37/116/79/3 SB), CF Randy Snow (.298/15/76/89/17 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Omar Cordero (22-7/3.07), Tim Varnado (10-8/3.39/23 saves/61 G), Rusty Howard (14-17/3.66), Tokuji Takahara (14-16/4.11)... bullpen Emilio Juarez (2-4/2.64/1 save/35 G), Jackie Owens (0-0/1.42/0 saves/19 G)

Forecast: manager Rich Barstow has a little bit of firepower and can score runs, but only has an average pitching staff... should compete for a spot in the first division... most likely third or fourth place... not pennant material yet.

Volusia Vigilantes
This Year: 5th Place (76-78) (23 GB)
Last Year: 4th Place (82-72) (24 GB)
Two Years Ago: 3rd Place (73-81) (9 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 9 ('43 was the last pennant, fell to eventual IPA Pro Cup champion Valmara in a 4-game sweep)
Pro Cups: 1 (swept Ginza in 4 games in the first-ever Pro Cup title series)

Team Stats: .258 BA (26th), 603 runs (30th), 72 HR (32nd), 3.40 ERA (8th), .977 FA (very good defense)

Top Batters: 2B Pablo Mendoza (.312 BA/3 HR/53 RBI/46 R/16 SB), CF J. D. Landy (.275/8/68/74/25 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Casimiro Ramires (21-13/2.99), All-Star Mateus Blanco (16-10/2.73), All-Star Rique Batista (13-20/3.28), Freddy Lopez (12-12/3.86)... bullpen Dan Hunt (1-7/2.76/22 saves/43 G)

Forecast: playing manager and catcher Tubby Tarkanian might have made the first division if he hadn't lost All-Star ace Mateus Branco (16-10/2.73) to injury in early August... the V's offense stink... but the pitching is above average... should contend for third or fourth place.

Colfax Blasters
This Year: 6th Place (75-79) (24 G)
Last Year: 7th Place (64-90) (42 GB)
Two Years Ago: 4th Place (70-84) (12 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 13 (last appearance was in '42... made Pro Cup Finals but lost in a sweep to South Fork)
Pro Cups: 1 (won the IPA title in 2010, defeated Turon in a tight 7-game series... lost in '32 Finals in 7 games to San Alejo)

Team Stats: .270 BA (8th), 718 runs (9th), 127 HR (14th), 4.08 ERA (22nd), .973 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: LF Robb Maddox (.293 BA/17 HR/69 RBI/90 R/16 SB), C Darrell Dillon (.284/26/86/75), SS Dan Zalewski (.291/6/46/72), 1B Nicky Yorke (.299/13/52/65), 3B Hoot Glanville (.294/11/61/55)

Top Pitchers: Dante Breland (17-16/3.90), Alan Schmitt (15-13/3.84), Keith Himmel (14-13/3.67), Kermo Jarvi (11-11/3.08)... bullpen is not very good

Forecast: manager Mitch Fullerton has a solid core of contact hitters that put runs on the scoreboard, but no power... his starters are fair... bullpen weak... could contend for fourth or fifth place, but no higher.

Stoner Stars
This Year: 7th Place (27 GB)
Last Year: 5th Place (75-79) (31 GB)
Two Years Ago: 2nd Place (75-79) (7 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 3 (last played in postseason in '29... also '02 and '07))
Pro Cups: None (lost in 2029 in Pro Cup Finals to Rolling Hills in 4 games... also lost to Oxford in 2007 in 5 games)

Team Stats: .266 BA (13th), 700 runs (14th-tied), 108 HR (21st), 3.91 ERA (19th)... .973 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: SS Mac Lord (.306 BA/14 HR/63 RBI/90 R/13 SB), LF Grayson Lancaster (.287/21/64/72/3 SB), SS Ernie Bowen (.284/2/54/61/5 SB)

Top Pitchers: Brad Squires (19-15/3.89), Kade Crow (13-10/4.02), Stan Ulmer (12-16/3.55), Ira Monaghan (11-15/4.34)... bullpen Rip Martin (2-0/2.11/0 saves/25 G)... not much else.

Forecast: manager Fletch Fowler doesn't have a lot of talent... pretty much a second division club... just fair-to-mediocre offense and mound staff... poor bullpen.

Fort Benton Defenders
This Year: 8th Place (64-96) 35 GB)
Last Year: 8th Place (54-100) (52 GB)
2 Years Ago: 6th Place (69-85) (13 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 1 (only pennant was in 2037... fell to Cold Creek in 7 games in first round)

Team Stats: .274 BA/700 runs (14th-tied), 101 HR (24th-tied), 4.75 ERA (31 st), .978 FA (excellent defense)

Top Batters: CF Freddie Woodruff (.312 BA/17 HR/92 RBI/112 R/17 SB), 2B Murph Eldard (.303/9/84/51/2 SB), SS Lucien Lindsey (.296/14/58/93/28 SB)

Top Pitchers: starter Perry Blystone (12-17/3.25)... other starters are mediocre to bad... bullpen is really bad.

Forecast: manager and former standout pitcher Augie Marquis (368-300/3.22 ERA) has the same trouble the Defenders had when he was playing... just not much talent... Fort Benton seems doomed to the botton of the RU West for the time being... Marquis has average hitting and power... fine defense... but terrible pitching.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 22, 2053

RED CAPS ROMP IN TU NORTH
After going 45 years without a pennant, the Oxford Red Caps (91-63) have now won two in a row in the Tycobbian North Division... and they did it in grand style, copping the crown by 11 games over the second place White River Rascals (80-74) and by 15 games over the North Hills Hawks (76-78) and Blue Lake Blue Sox (76-78), who tied for the third spot in the standings... the Red Caps had a hot race for half the season... the Blue Sox even led them by a game at the All-Star Game and the Rascals and Hawks were in striking distance, trailing by 5 and 8 games respectively... but they all went into a tailspin and fell out of contention in the second half.

OXFORD RED CAPS
This Year: 1st Place (91-63)
Last Year: 1st Place (86-69)
2 Years Ago: 5th Place (75-79) (22 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 6
Pro Cups: 1 (whipped the Stoner Stars in 2007 in 5 games)

Team Stats: .273 BA (11th), 853 runs (1st), 184 HR (5th), 3.82 ERA, .973 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: RF Ozzy Ackerman (.252 BA/40 HR/111 RBI/126 R/37 SB), All-Star 2B Ethan Cuthbert (.329/32/89/92/13 SB), LF Dwayne Wagner (.282/24/99/92/6 SB), SS Miko Fujikawa (.272/14/79/89/11 SB), All-Star RF Wade McGrew (.311/23/70/45/3 SB)

Top Pitchers: All-Star Rudy Mellancamp (27-3/1.97), Lou Ellison (19-17/3.73)... not much help in the bullpen

Forecast: manager Dennis Hartwig and his Red Caps pushed last year's Tycobbian champ East Point to the limit before falling in 7 games... Oxford has the offense to do some damage in the Pro Cup playoffs, but doesn't have the pitching... if All-Star Wade McGrew gets off the DL in time for the postseason, he will give them another strong bat... they won't have to contend with East Point this year, but Midway and Denton City both won 100 games, have superior mound staffs and will be favored over the Red Caps.

White River Rascals
This Year: 2nd Place (89-74) (11 GB)
Last Year: 3rd Place (82-72) (3.5 GB)
Two Years Ago: 1st Place (97-57)
Playoff Appearances: 8 (last appeared in '51... had also won pennants in '48, '49, and '50)
Pro Cups: None (lost to powerful Valmara in Finals two years in a row... '49 and '50)

Team Stats: .261 BA (23rd), 729 runs (13th), 156 HR (13th), 3.79 ERA (10th), .974 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: LF Pudge Tate (.290 BA/28 HR/94 RBI/103 R/17 SB), 1B Billy Joe Hickman (.248/26/78/47), 3B Kenny Yarbrough (.277/22/77/78/13 SB), SS Kunta Burton (.311/3/55/73/5 SB), RF Roger Todd (.291/11/58/57/2 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Keil Trickett (15-11/3.19), Butch Slattery (14-10/3.95), Nicky Palmer (16-18/3.47), Glen Horton (16-10/4.10)... not much in the weak bullpen

Forecast: manager Marty Blake's club has slipped the last two years... pitching is not what it was when they won four pennants in a row and made the Pro Cup Finals twice... but still a solid, but aging club... definitely first division material.

Blue Lake Blue Sox
This Year: 3rd Place (tie) (76-78) (15 GB)
Last Year: 5th Place (72-82) (15.5 GB)
Two Years Ago: 6th Place (61-93) (36 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 3 (not since Pro Cup title year in 2030... upset Valmara in 7 games)
Pro Cups: 1 (2030)

Team Stats: .257 BA (27th), 665 runs (27th), 135 HR (18th), 3.78 ERA (9th), .974 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: LF Jude Rapp (.305 BA/15 HR/60 RBI/90 R/3 SB), RF Burl Baugh (.230/25/80/62), LF Yatsuhiro Shimada (.284/18/55/62/9 SB), C Juan Luis Barcelona (.286/14/62/78), 2B Perry Wilkins (.278/13/68/56/2 SB), CF Johnny Harding (.274/12/54/49), SS John Gilbert (.269/11/64/66/4 SB)

Top Pitchers: starter Dirk Sinclair (17-12/3.17)... not much after him

Forecast: manager Frankie Quinn has a mediocre team... fair bats... and so-so pitching... no threat to Oxford... 4th-5th place at best.

North Hills Hawks
This Year: 3rd Place (tie) (76-78) (15 GB)
Last Year: 6th Place (71-83) (14.5 GB)
Two Years Ago: 8th Place (46-108) (51 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 13 (last pennant was 2045... Hawks had a tremendous run with 11 division flags in 12 years with 4 Pro Cup titles from '34 to '45... )
Pro Cups: 4 (2034 over Crystal Lake, 2036 over St. John, 2038 over Far Mountain and 2041 over Cold Creek... fell to Valmara in 2043 Finals in 6 games to miss out on a record 5th Pro Cup trophy... North Hills is right up there with the greatest all-time dynasties in IPA history.

Team Stats: .267 BA (14th), 713 runs (17th), 91 HR (32nd), 4.08 ERA (21st), .979 FA (excellent defense)

Top Batters: All-Star 3B Justin Roscoe (.290 BA/22 HR/117 RBI/77 R), 2B Sam Dunstone (.302/3/66/99/16 SB), RF Clifton Mahaffey (.301/6/77/96/22 SB), C Leland Backus (.277/13/67/59), LF Ryan Webbe (.260/21/75/52)

Top Pitchers: starters Stan Kallis (22-15/3.25), Heck Radborne (12-9/3.88)... bullpen not dependable, but good at times with DeWitt Dobkins (5-10/3.65/22 saves/54 G)

Forecast: manager David Michael has an average offense and fair-to-mediocre staff... pretty much a middle-of-the-pack ball club... no pennant threat.

Luxora Zorros
This Year: 5th Place (67-87) (24 GB)
Last Year: 7th Place (68-86) (17.5 GB)
Two Years Ago: 3rd Place (82-72) (15 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 11 (but none since 2031)
Pro Cups: None (defeated in TU title game by IPA champ Red Bluff in 2004... lost to Pro Cup finalist Denton City in TU title game in 2008... fell to Pro Cup finalist Turon in 2017... eliminated by IPA champion Turon in first round in 2018)

Team Stats: .257 BA (26th), 644 runs (31st), 116 HR (22nd-tied), 4.03 ERA (18th), .974 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: SS Emmett Cusack (.263 BA/7 HR/47 RBI/83 R/25 SB), 1B Tuff McLendon (.269/19/77/69), 3B Bobby Portonova (.268/24/78/63)

Top Pitchers: starters Juliano Machado (17-16/3.80), Mack Wellman (12-16/3.33), Paolo De Freitas (11-21/4.08)... bullpen Jan Futcher (6-4/2.80/11 saves/45 G)

Forecast: Luxora skipper Kent Halloran has a bad offense and only fair pitching... pretty much like Mahaska, Fairfax and Hartsdale... just a second-rate second division team... might squeeze into fourth place.

Mahaska Haymakers
This Year: 6th Place (tie) (66-88) (25 GB)
Last Year: 2nd Place (85-70) (1 GB)
Two Years Ago: 2nd Place (87-67) (10 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 4 (last division crowns came in '26 and '28)
Pro Cups: None (fell to IPA champ Valmara in 4-game sweep in 2026... defeated by Pro Cup finalist Tuckanarra in 2028 in TU title clash in 7 games)

Team Stats: .279 BA (5th), 722 runs (15th-tied), 111 HR (28th), 4.43 ERA (28th), .973 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: All-Star C Johnny Samarin (.345 BA/6 HR/55 RBI/66 R), RF Dub Forrester (.302/19/89/97/10 SB), SS Paul Waldrep (.283/1/59/94/9 SB), 1B Roger Lewis (.292/25/86/60), LF Roy Wilson (.331/1/47/64/11)

Top Pitchers: starters Bobby Kelman (14-18/3.95), Morrie Dalman (13-13/4.17)

Forecast: manager Travis Tuttle's Haymakers hit well for average, but not with much power... not a lot of pitching... just a second division team.

Fairfax Frogs
This Year: 6th Place (tie) (66-88) (25 GB)
Last Year: 8th Place (64-90) (21.5 GB)
Two Years Ago: 7th Place (57-97) (40 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 8 (no postseason since '32 and '33)
Pro Cups: None (in 2032 lost to IPA champ San Alejo in first round in 6 games)

Team Stats: .277 BA (7th), 704 runs (20th-tied), 93 HR (31st), 4.41 ERA (27th), .977 FA (very good defense)

Top Batters: LF Paddy Fenroy (.325 BA/3 HR/58 RBI/94 R/18 SB), C Scott Courtney (.303/24/116/70), RF Downtown Wyatt (.288/13/92/53/6 SB)1B Roman Hancock (.304/5/49/61/17 SB), 2B Cade Durning (.325/4/54/60)

Top Pitchers: starters Shaun O'Riley (14-9/2.87), Jay Jay Dillaway (13-20/4.12)... bullpen is just plain bad

Forecast: manager John Velasco has a tough task... team makes good contact, but lacks power and scoring ability... pitching is downright bad... just a second division team.

Hartsdale Hellcats
This Year: 8th Place (65-89) (26 GB)
Last Year: 4th Place (81-73 (4.5 GB)
Two Years Ago: 4th Place (80-74) (17 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 9
Pro Cups: 1 (whipped Valmara in 2046 in 7 games... beaten by IPA champ South Fork in 7 games in 2042 in TU title series)

Team Stats: .253 BA (29th), 645 runs (29th-tied), 163 HR (10th-tied), 4.02 ERA (17th), .971 FA (fair defense)

Top Batters: 3B Bruno Bardella (.273 BA/33 HR/90 RBI/71 R), C Kenton Carmichael (.245/24/65/75), CF Justin Cutler (.288/22/58/67), LF Jules Randolph (.265/22/65/76/10 SB), RF Nathan Ivy (.277/17/61/72/22 SB), 2B Smokey Nix (.266/10/55/66/10 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Perry Givens (12-18/3.25), Ron Norton (12-17/3.92)... bullpen standout and All-Star Roy Krieger (10-7/1.78/20 saves/63 G)

Forecast: manager Wayne Dawson has some longball threats, but has a lackluster staff except for starter Perry Givens and super closer Roy Krieger... probably a second division team, but could rise as high as fourth place.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 22, 2053

TYPHOONS TAKE TU SOUTH IN A RUNAWAY
For the second straight season the Turon Typhoons have stormed past everybody in sight in the Tycobbian South Division... the Typhoons (101-53) breezed to the title, routing the second place Summerland Sunsets(82-72) by 19 games and the third place Southport Sun Sox (79-75) and San Alejo Montaneros (79-75) by 22 games... the Sunsets gamely tried to make a race out of it for half the season, but then fizzled out and flopped... Turon led them by 7 games at midseason, then kicked it into high gear and blew everybody away... last year it was the same thing... the Typhoons won by 15 games over runner-up San Alejo... Turon is now ready to try and make amends for the poor showning in last year's Pro Cup playoffs, when they lost in the first round to the Oxford Red Caps... they won 96 games last season and improved to 101 this season, second best in the IPA to Taranto's 103 victories.

TURON TYPHOONS
This Year: 1st Place (101-53)
Last Year: 1st Place (96-58)
2 Years Ago: 2nd Place (91-64) (1 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 16 (appeared last year and lost to Oxford in 5 games in round one)
Pro Cups: 4 (2003, 2006, 2009, 2018... also made the Pro Cup Finals in 2010, falling to Colfax in 7 games... almost won in 2017, but again lost in 7 games to Eastshore)

Team Stats: .282 BA (1st), 820 runs (2nd), 103 HR (30th), 3.42 ERA (4th), .975 FA (good defense)

Top Batters: C Doyle Ashcroft (.279 BA/19 HR/114 RBI/59 R), All-Star CF Maxie Mullinax (.304/4/53/112/50 SB), 3B Joel Guidry (.289/16/96/94/8 SB), 2B Gaylen Clive (.327/3/61/90/9 SB), SS Fernando Labrera (.305/2/42/82/42), 1B Shoyo Yuro (.316/18/81/72/5 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Nate Scottsdale (25-10/2.77), Glenn Avery (23-12/3.39), Jose Beltran (12-9/3.86), Dickie Parmenter (14-6/4.26), Yancey Hedges (8-4/2.81)... bullpen Russell Mallory (9-8/2.36/5 saves/26 G)

Forecast: manager C. C. Kingsford doesn't seem to have the pitching to contest Midway in the postseason... the Typhoons score well, but could use more longball power in the playoffs... could be a factor, if third pitcher steps up and wins a few games... Kingsford has his hands full with Midway and Oxford in the Tycobbian Union... the Wolves have powerhouse pitching and the best record in the IPA, while the Red Caps have a top-notch offensive machine that led the IPA in runs scored, tied with the Middlefield Roosters of the Ruthlandian Union, the defending Pro Cup titleholder.

Summerland Sunsets
This Year: 2nd Place (82-72) (19 GB)
Last Year: 4th Place (77-77) (19 GB)
Two Years Ago: 7th Place (67-87) (24.5 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 4 (last division crown came in 2047... fell to IPA champion Hartsdale in 6 games in Tycobbian LCS)
Pro Cups: None (but did make the Finals one time in 2040... lost in 7 games to the Ranford Bulls, the IPA champion)

Team Stats: .249 BA (30th), 570 runs (32nd), 110 HR (29th), 3.18 ERA (2nd), .975 FA (good defense)

Top Batters: 3B Zane Howe (.258 BA/18 HR/85 RBI/70 R), LF Kinky Elderson (.253/10/62/59/5 SB), C Zip Enright (.271/14/69/52)

Top Pitchers: starters All-Star Jayson Hallstrom (21-10/2.22), Tommy Underwood (18-13/3.03)... bullpen Rory Poe (4-4/0.89/17 saves/38 G)

Forecast: skipper Antonio Vasques has one of the better rotation in the Tycobbian Union, but his offense is absolutely awful, one of the worst in the IPA... nobody can presently compete with Turon for the division title... Summerland is probably a first division club... but needs a lot to challenge the Typhoons.

San Alejo Montaneros
This Year: 3rd Place (tie) (79-75) (22 GB)
Last Year: 2nd Place (81-73) 15 GB)
Two Years Ago: 1st Place (92-63)
Playoff Appearances: 8 (last appeared in '51... eliminated in first round by White River in 5 games)
Pro Cups: 1 (2032... topped the Colfax Blasters in 7 games... fell in Finals to Waleska in 2037... the Westerners won in 6 games)

Team Stats: .262 BA (22nd), 727 runs (14th), 136 HR (17th), 3.65 ERA (6th), .974 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: All-Star CF Paolo Teixeira (.308 BA/35 HR/114 RBI/103 R/1 SB), RF Erik Landau (.306/5/46/100/13 SB), LF Royce Grantham (.229/31/100/75/6 SB), 1B Alonzo Grassi (.287/19/73/48)

Top Pitchers: starters Matt Bell (20-11/2.74), Will McKinney (18-19/2.76)... bullpen Marcelo Cervantes (5-8/3.74/18 saves/52 G)

Forecast: manager Filipe Zamora has two of the greatest pitchers ever in the IPA... Matt Bell (324-174/2.39) and Will McKinney (276-135/2.49), but not a lot else on the mound... he also has several talented position players... but only an average offense... will still be in the running for a first-division finish as long as Bell, age 34, and McKinney, age 33, are around... but won't contend for the division flag... just too much Turon.

Southport Sun Sox
This Year: 3rd Place (tie) (79-75) (22 GB)
Last Year: 3rd Place (79-75) (17 GB)
Two Years Ago: 5th Place (78-76) (13.5 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 10 (last pennant was in 2050... defeated by Pro Cup finalist White River in 7 games)
Pro Cups: 3 (2027, 2044, 2047... also made the Pro Cup Finals in '45 and lost to Sugar Valley in 6 games)

Team Stats: .266 BA (16th), 711 runs (19th), 112 HR (27th), 3.96 ERA (15th), .972 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: RF Manuelo Garcia (.323 BA/19 HR/89 RBI/93 R/16 SB), 1B Zee Graham (.298/21/92/83), LF Chris Jones (.304/3/43/67), CF Tony Patrano (.263/17/60/52)

Top Pitchers: starters Champ Shafer (21-16/4.13), Hal Combs (14-16/3.44)... bullpen Troy Hill (8-6/1.81/18 saves/44 G)

Forecast: manager Lorne Evans only has an average ballclub... but should be able to finish in the first division (top four teams), but is not anywhere near the class of Turon, by far the best in the Tycobbian South Division.

Cape Coral Hurricanes
This Year: 5th Place (78-76) (23 GB)
Last Year: 5th Place (tie) (68-85) (27 GB)
Two Years Ago: 6th Place (71-83) (20.5 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 8 ('Canes haven't made the playoffs for more than a decade... 2041 was the last pennant... were defeated in the first round by IPA overall champ North Hills in 5 games)
Pro Cups: None (the best the Hurricanes have done in the playoffs was 2006 when they were beaten by the IPA Pro Cup champ Turon 3 games to 2 in the Elite 8 Series... also lost in 2030 in the Elite 8 to eventual Pro Cup titlewinner Blue Lake in 6 games)

Team Stats: .282 BA (2nd), 747 runs (11th), 113 HR (26th), 3.98 ERA (16th), .975 FA (good defense)

Top Batters: 3B Jaybird Ethridge (.278 BA/27 HR/92 RBI/93 r), 1B Shinjo Tabuchi (.307/5/59/74/21 SB), CF Billy Lee Wakefield (.286/8/43/80/9 SB), RF Enrique Orantez (.275/12/73/77/9 SB), SS Scotty Jackson (.278/18/82/65), C Deron Agarn (.336/2/55/51), LF Sammy Ashcraft (.326/13/66/58/6 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Banjo Prewett (17-18/3.85), Vernon Marks (16-17/3.74)... bullpen Vinny McAfee (5-0/2.58/7 saves/40 G)

Forecast: manager William Snyder's club has made modest improvements each year for the past few seasons... moved past the .500 mark this year for the first time since 2047... team bats make good contact, but lacks power to compete with the elite teams... pitching is just average... Cape Coral will challenge for a berth in the top four teams, but won't be in the running for the division flag... that belongs to Turon for a few years or so.

Colchester Elites
This Year: 6th Place (77-77) (24 GB)
Last Year: 5th Place (69-85) (27 GB)
Two Years Ago: 4th Place (81-73) (10.5 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 4 (lost in first round to IPA champion North Hills in 5 games)
Pro Cups: None (never came close to a Pro Cup trophy... always eliminated in early rounds)

Team Stats: .263 BA (18th), 697 runs (23rd), 147 HR (15th), 3.81 ERA (11th), .975 FA (good defense)

Top Batters: CF Eldon McLennan (.302 BA/6 HR/48 RBI/88 R/52 SB), 2B James Murchison (.293/10/54/88/12 SB), SS Ernie Larmon (.319/10/57/81/5 SB), RF Graig Sutton (.297/26/93/75/4 SB), LF Yancy Willmon (.266/27/70/62/11 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters All-Star Greg Ginger (21-13/3.29), Denzel Durand (18-17/3.80), Zip Sharpe (15-15/4.21), Champ Meadows (12-19/4.32)... bullpen Haden Fraser (5-7/2.33/19 saves/49 G)

Forecast: manager Blake Barrister has just an average to mediorce club... pretty fair power... decent starters... good closer... could finish in first division... broke even in 6th place this season... just about as good as the clubs that finished ahead of them in the standings... except for powerful Turon.

Ginza Ninjas
This Year: 7th Place (71-83) (30 GB)
Last Year: 8th Place (59-95) (37 GB)
Two Years Ago: 3rd Place (3.5 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 7 (2031... lost to IPA Pro Cup winner Rolling Hills in Tycobbian title game in 7 games)
Pro Cups: None (2001 - lost to Pro Cup champ Volusis in Finals 4-0... 2025 - lost 4-1 in Tycobbian Finals to Pro Cup winner South Fork... 2026 - lost 4-2 in first round to Pro Cup finalist Mahaska... 2029 - lost 4-3 in Tycobbian Finals to Pro Cup champ Rolling Hills... 2031 - lost 4-3 in Tycobbian Finals to IPA champ Rolling Hills)

Team Stats: .280 BA (4th), 765 runs (9th), 144 HR (16th), 4.86 ERA (31st), .973 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: All-Star SS Kuzuki Tamura (.318 BA/20 HR/106 RBI/98 R/17 SB). 3B Horace Dyson (.296/7/62/80), 1B Kyle Estes (.264/16/74/74/7 SB), RF Ronny Firestone (.323/1/41/72/4 SB), 2B Wahoo Durkee (.310/7/47/58/7 SB), 1B Takuya Toyota (.304/14/57/46), C Jules Bordeaux (.318/10/44/45)

Top Pitchers: starter Ward Marlowe (12-16/3.85)... bullpen Abram Worth (6-3/2.48/22 saves/58 G)

Forecast: manager Sogo Takagi has terrible pitching, coupled with a fairly good offense... Ninjas are doomed to the bottom of the Tycobbian South.

Arroyo Grande Suns
This Year: 8th Place (65-89) (36 GB)
Last Year: 7th Place (67-87) (29 GB)
Two Years Ago: 8th Place (64-90) (27.5 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 4 (last pennant was in 2024... lost in first round 4-2 to White River)
Pro Cups: None (usually eliminated early in the postseason... the best the Suns have done was in 2022 when they lost to Pro Cup Finalist Midway Wolves 4-1 in the TU Finals)

Team Stats: .244 BA (31st), 692 runs (24th), 209 HR (1st), 4.68 ERA (29th), .969 FA (poor defense)

Top Batters: All-Star RF Norishige Ito (.321 BA/55 HR/108 RBI/122 R/14 SB), All-Star 1B Vince Kinston (.318/41/94/92), SS Russell Taylor (.284/19/79/89/12 SB)

Top Pitchers: starter Nap Vickerson (18-17/3.61) is the only quality hurler on the staff

Forecast: manager Rusty Vizcarra has it tough... franchise has finished last 18 times in its history... current squad only has two talented players... All-Stars Norishige Ito and 1B Vince Kinston... the rest are just run-of-the-mill and mediocre... Sun fans don't have much to look forward to... you can't win with lousy pitching and bad hitting.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 22, 2053

MIDWAY MOPS UP IN TU EAST
The pennant race in the Tycobbian East Division only lasted half a season... the defending division champion East Point Panthers (90-64) hung close to this year's flag winner, the Midway Wolves (100-54) for awhile, only 4 games back at the All-Star Game... a great second half propelled the Wolves to the title by 10 games over the runner-up Panthers... third place South Fork (83-71) was far behind, trailing by 17 games, followed by fourth place Tuckanarra (81-73), 19 games back... Midway led the Tycobbian Union with 100 wins, second best in the IPA... only the Taranto Tars were better with 103 victories... the Wolves will be one of the favorites to capture the IPA Pro Cup trophy, along with the Tars and the reigning king of the Islands, the Middlefield Roosters (99-55).

MIDWAY WOLVES
This Year: 1st Place (103-51)
Last Year: 2nd Place (91-63) (5 GB)
2 Years Ago: 5th Place (83-71) (15 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 3 (2014 - defeated by IPA champ Kenwood in opening round 4-1... 2027 - lost in the first round to Rolling Hills in a 4-game sweep)
Pro Cups: None (2022 - reached the Pro Cup Finals, but lost to Crystal Lake Crushers in 6 games)

Team Stats: .277 BA (6th), 758 runs (10th), 165 HR (8th), 3.02 ERA (1st), .974 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: All-Star SS Kax Clark (.368 BA/17 HR/88 RBI/1-9 R/16 SB), 1B Tom Goodnight (.289/21/86/86), RF Daryl Vale (.332/21/62/57), 3B Jamey Southwick (.263/25/70/68)

Top Pitchers: starter All-Star Charlie Chase (27-10/2.51), All-Star Will DeBerry (25-10/3.25), Beau McCloud (18-10/3.38), Yank Atchley (15-7/2.39)... bullpen Rocket Rholdes (7-4/2.22/13 saves/36 G)... Jeffrey Leonard (4-2/0.36/8 saves/21 G)

Forecast: skippered by Bobby Dorignac (315-228/2.96 ERA), a great Midway HOF pitcher, the team has one of the better pitching staffs in the IPA with four quality starters and a good relief corps... the Wolves also hit well with power... should be a potent force in the playoffs.

East Point Panthers
This Year: 2nd Place (90-64) (10 GB)
Last Year: 1st Place (95-58)
Two Years Ago: 2nd Place (96-58) (2 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 7 (went to the Pro Cup Finals last year)
Pro Cups: None (2052 - made the Pro Cup Finals... lost to IPA champ Middlefield in 6 games... 2033 - fell to IPA champ Elnora in 7 games)

Team Stats: .264 BA (17th), 81 runs (3rd), 201 HR (3rd), 3.73 ERA (8th), .975 FA (good defense)

Top Batters: 1B Alvaro Cavacos (.301 BA/37 HR/101 R/85 R/20 SB), RF Doug Dennhardt (.258/32/74/56/7 SB), C Kenny Bailey (.302/30/92/77), All-Star 3B Julian McRae (.286/15/74/98/15 SB)

Top Pitchers: Ralph Wallace (23-11/3.10), Benny Allen (17-14/3.50), Chip Dowler (15-13/4.12)... bullpen Pudgy Putnam (7-3/1.71/13 saves/42 G), Kerry Woodburn (6-4/2.75/5 saves/29 G), Mo McCandless (3-2/2.53/1 save/26 G)

Forecast: manager Frank Blair still has a solid ballclub and pennant contender... Midway was just better this season... Panthers can score very well... have firepower... and fairly good pitching.

South Fork Stallions
This Year: 3rd Place (83-71) (17 GB)
Last Year: 7th Place (76-78) (20 GB)
Two Years Ago: 8th Place (56-98) (42 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 6 (last postseason appearance was 2043... were swept by Pro Cup Finalist North Hills in Tycobbian title series)
Pro Cups: 2 (won first Pro Cup in 2025 - topped Middlefield in 7 games... won second Pro Cup in 2042 - swept Colfax in 4 games)

Team Stats: .263 BA (19th), 672 runs (26th), 117 HR (21st), 3.63 ERA (5th), .982 FA (excellent defense)

Top Batters: C Rudy Maroney (.295 BA/23 HR/97 RBI/61 R/6 SB), 3B Pete Arnold (.286/13/68/77/16 SB)

Top Pitchers: starter Brett McCracken (21-11/2.67), Emmett Coogan (15-13/3.41), Bud Bowens (18-15/3.43)... not much in bullpen

Forecast: manager Eldon Jacoby has an improving ballclub... is a first-division contender, but not up to par with the two league elites, Midway and East Point... offense is just mediocre... while pitching is a little better than average... defense is outstanding... should finish as high as 3rd again next year.

Tuckanarra Blue Jays
This Year: 4th Place (81-73) (19 GB)
Last Year: 6th Place (76-78) (20 GB)
Two Years Ago: 6th Place (79-75) (19 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 18 (last appearance in 2049 - beaten in TU title series by White River in 6 games... the Rascals were the IPA runner-up that year, losing to powerful Valmara in the Pro Cup Finals in 6 games)
Pro Cups: 3 (2023 - topped Valmara in 6 games... 2024 - swept Sugar Valley for second straight IPA Pro Cup trophy... 2035 - took third Pro Cup from Elnora in a 4-game sweep)

Team Stats: .262 BA (21st), 645 runs (29th-tied), 127 HR (19th-tied), 3.71 ERA (7th), .980 FA (excellent defense)

Top Batters: All-Star 1B Rodger Parsons (.332 BA/16 HR/76 RBI/73 R), 3B Newt Crutchfield (.300/9/71/59), RF Jay Jay Batchelor (.291/15/63/53/9 SB), CF Harv Bannerman (.265/22/53/85/45 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Terence Gargan (17-13/3.87), All-Star Dickie Pittman (17-15/3.77), Ozzie Leslie (12-16/3.17)... bullpen Paul Landale (4-6/2.27/26 saves/60 G)

Forecast: manager Junior Bristow has a fairly good starting rotation and a fine closer, but is sorely lacking at the plate... excellent defense... will just be a middle-of-the-pack team until the Tucks get some firepower... should be good enough for 3rd or 4th in the standings.

Red Bluff Red Sox
This Year: 5th Place (78-76) (22 GB)
Last Year: 3rd Place (88-66) (8 GB)
Two Years Ago: 4th Place (88-66) (10 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 8 (last postseason appearances were a 4-year string from 2044 to 2047... reached the TU Finals each year and lost to Pro Cup champ... Southport whipped them in '44, '45 and '47... Hartsdale in '46)
Pro Cups: 1 (captured only Pro Cup in 2005... tamed Sugar Valley in 7 games)

Team Stats: .254 BA (28th), 702 runs (22nd), 176 HR (6th), 4.04 ERA (19th), .974 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: LF Toni Kolkov (.274 BA/43 HR/104 RBI/116 R/10 SB), 3B Dazzy Bevis (.257/23/104/79/19 SB), CF Dane Summer (.265/20/70/89/45 SB), SS Monty Lyons (.288/19/60/84/22 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Felix Delatte (18-13/3.23), Sonny Wheat (17-12/4.13), Julius Eccleston (12-13/3.69)... nothing much in the bullpen

Forecast: Ike Sweetwater is at the helm of the Red Sox... has had a very good team the last few years, but may be on the decline... he has a lackluster starting rotation, no bullpen... may be hard put to be a first-division team next season.

High Mesa Mustangs
This Year: 6th Place (72-82) (28 GB)
Last Year: 5th Place (82-72) (14 GB)
Two Years Ago: 3rd Place (91-63) (7 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 3 (last playoff appearance was in 2048 when they lost in the first round 4-1 to eventual Pro Cup winner Rolling Hills)
Pro Cups: 1 (High Mesa swept Elnora in 3 games in 2002... Pro Cup Finals were a best-of-three at that time)

Team Stats: .258 BA (25th), 792 runs(6th), 203 HR (2nd), 4.32 ERA (25th), .969 FA (poor defense)

Top Batters: All-Star LF Joe Duplantis (.303 BA/40 HR/112 RBI/89 R/5 SB), CF Tracy McGriff (.286/26/87/86/8 SB), RF Dix McIntosh (.291/22/57/51), 3B Kagetoki Miyazaki (.307/22/56/61/3 SB), RF Mo Modjewski (.274/20/62/66/10 SB), SS Tommy Yost (.278/18/68/85)

Top Pitchers: starters Dickie Sternfeld (15-6/3.27), Tuffy Hammel (14-17/3.61)... not much in bullpen

Forecast: IPA all-time great slugger Jack Elliott is the Mustangs manager... he has a home-run hitting club, but doesn't have a lot on the hill... team may have peaked two years ago with third place finish... headed for the lower end of the Tycobbian East.

Hillsboro Blazers
This Year: 7th Place (68-86) (32 GB)
Last Year: 4th Place (86-66) (10 GB)
Two Years Ago: 1st Place (98-56)
Playoff Appearances: 1 (only made the playoffs one time... 2051... dropped a first round series 4-3 to eventual IPA champ Arlon.
Pro Cups: None

Team Stats: .234 BA (32nd), 646 runs (28th), 192 HR (4th), 4.18 ERA (23rd), .973 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: RF Eli Nickerson (.295 BA/29 HR/65 RBI/75 R/17 SB), 2B Bob Foster (.288/19/76/71/7 SB), 1B Ernie Moxley (.217/31/72/66), CF Vern Hodge (.289/18/51/56)

Top Pitchers: starters Clay Spencer (13-10/3.42), Steve Cooper (12-16/3.23), Hank Greenberry (11-17/3.92)... bullpen Ron Pryor (10-4/3.69/7 saves/52 G)

Forecast: manager Andy Jefferson had Hillsboro on top of the world in 2051 when came out of nowhere and captured the Tycobbian East pennant... they were in the first division last year, but have returned to mediocrity in 2053... the Blazers depend totally on home runs... the pitching which was quite good in '53 has fallen off to just lackluster... looks like the Hillsboro is headed for the bottom rungs in the division... not a rosy future.

Ozarka Naturals
This Year: 8th Place (61-93) (39 GB)
Last Year: 8th Place (70-84) (26 GB)
Two Years Ago: 7th Place (77-77) (21 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 15 (last pennant was in 2040 when the Nats lost to Summerland in the Tycobbian title series... the Sunsets in the 7-game IPA Finals by the Ranford Bulls)
Pro Cups: None (but Ozarka has made the Pro Cup Finals on 5 occasions: '11, '12, '16, '19, '20)

Team Stats: .266 BA (15th), 686 runs (25th), 114 HR (24th-tied), 4.04 ERA (20th), .969 FA (poor defense)

Top Batters: SS Foxy Alderson (.28 BA/12 HR/81 RBI/78 R/10 SB), LF Donny Joe Jacks (.313/12/56/82/14 SB), 1B Sookie Lagerberg (.260/18/62/64)/3 SB), RF Scotty Hanlon (.250/16/72/67/16 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Carl Hemus (15-19/3.48), Marlin Mathewson (13-19/3.98), Jason Mayes (12-9/3.92)... bullpen Jim Greene (7-9/2.36/15 saves/52 G)

Forecast: manager Jaak Pajukivi's team is short on talent with 9 straight seasons in the second division... 4 times in the TU East basement... and it looks like more of the same... just a humdrum team in all respects.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 22, 2053

DC REDBIRDS BEST IN TU WEST
13 seasons have come and gone since the Denton City Redbirds (89-65) flew sky high in the Tycobbian West Division... but they were the best in the west this year, taking the title by 6 games over the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers (83-71), 8 games better than the La Claire Lynx (81-73) and 9 up on the Chicopee Braves (80-74)... it was a decent 4-team race at mid-year... the Lynx were just a game behind... but they flopped in July and fell out of contention... the Braves trailed by 7 games, but couldn't make up any ground on the Redbirds in the second half of the year... the Bayview Vikings (64-90) were in the fourth spot and 8 games off the pace at the All-Star Game, but spiraled into oblivion in the second half with a 26-51 mark and wound up in the TU West basement... the Buccaneers didn't play well in the first half, falling 11 games out at midseason, but could have been the best team in the division the second half... Denton City is capable of sneaking up on the Tycobbian upper crust Turon (101-53) and Midway (100-54), the teams favored to make the most noise in the IPA Pro Cup playoffs... fine pitching and good hitting could send the Redbirds soaring in the postseason.

DENTON CITY REDBIRDS
This Year: 1st Place (89-65)
Last Year: 6th Place (67-87) (24 GB)
2 Years Ago: 2nd Place (82-72) (6 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 9 (last pennant came in 2040... lost in first round)
Pro Cups: None (lost twice in Pro Cup Finals... 2005 to Middlefield in 5 games... and in 2008 to Wynnamac in 6)

Team Stats: .272 BA (12th), 809 runs (4th), 164 HR (9th), 3.28 ERA (3rd), .971 FA (fair defense)

Top Batters: SS Vincent McCloud (.313 BA/23 HR/89 RBI/110 R/10 SB), CF Harper Catlow (.320/34/104/105/22 SB), 3B Ronny Lambert (.290/11/58/93/16 SB), 1B Val Anniston (.295/22/71/86), RF Tristan Redgrave (.351/17/72/80/11 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters All-Star Flash Stringfellow (21-10/2.53), Johnny Wingate (21-8/2.67), Jayson Mannon (15-18/3.34), Harry Elliott (14-13/4.08)... bullpen Razzy Richmond (1-1/1.95/6 saves/28 G), Freddy O'Neal (4-2/0.78/4 saves/25 G)

Forecast: manager Pete Gibbs has an aging mound corps... needs some young arms to stay in contention... despite this, he still has a fine team that should test the powers-that-be in this year's playoffs... Turon, Midway and Oxford beware... his starting rotation is solid... so is his relief corps... plus the Redbirds can put the bat on the the ball and put runs on the scoreboard.

BAY ST. CLAIR BUCCANEERS
This Year: 2nd Place (83-71) (6 GB)
Last Year: 3rd Place (80-74) (11 GB)
Two Years Ago: 3rd Place (82-72) (6 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 11 (made postseason twice in recent years... '49 and '50... defeated by Pro Cup Finalist White River in 6 games in 2050)
Pro Cups: None (closest Pro Cup came in 2015... lost in Finals to IPA champ Taranto 5 games)

Team Stats: .262 BA (20th), 781 runs (7th), 158 HR (12th), 3.93 ERA (14th), .976 FA (good defense)

Top Batters: CF Don Holliday (.243 BA/31 HR/111 RBI/79 R/10 SB), LF Jed Killick (.282/39/101/97/2 SB), C Hersh Cranmore (.284/16/97/58), 1B Clive Caveness (.272/23/83/83), RF Stan Kovalenko (.288/19/74/113/14 SB), 3B Trace Burney (.286/12/63/87/12 SB), SS Pip Blaylock (.287/7/53/79/21 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Alex Brown (17-12/4.04), Dion Hawkins (12-14/3.18)... bullpen Cadillac Bogart (11-4/1.78/13 saves/58 G), Ian Abercrombie (8-6/1.99/6 saves/71 G), Steve Swanwick (2-2/1.68/9 saves/29 G)

Forecast: skipper Cotton Cornwall has a sound ballclub... solid core of hitters, super bullpen, but only average starters... fairly young team... is set to be a division contender for the next few years... could give Denton City a run for the pennant next year.

La Claire Lynx
This Year: 3rd Place (81-73 (8 GB)
Last Year: 8th Place (58-96) (33 GB)
Two Years Ago: 6th Place (65-89) (23 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 4 (it's been 15 years since the Lynx made the playoffs... did it in '37 and '38
Pro Cups: None (pushed powerful Pro Cup champ North Hills to 7 games in 2038 Tycobbian title series)

Team Stats: .276 BA (8th), 712 runs (18th), 114 HR (24th-tied), 4.22 ERA (24th), .973 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: RF Whit Miley (.302 BA/17 HR/77 RBI/90 R/16 SB), SS Frisco Thorpe (.263/24/106/85/7 SB), 2B Derek Winchester (.310/5/59/81/17 SB), C Kade Vadar (.306/10/55/62), 3B Mickey Dennis (.302/16/76/54/3 SB)

Top Pitchers: starter Jacques Guichard (11-3/3.04)... bullpen Derrick Kajlich (9-5/2.91/19 saves/48 G), Trey Pless (5-2/2.61/10 saves/29 G)

Forecast: manager Flash Devlin, HOF 3B, has just a little above average hitting team with not a lot of home-run power... pitching is weak except for a good bullpen... should contend for 2nd-3rd place in the coming year... could challenge Denton City for TU West crown if a pitcher or two comes through for them.

Chicopee Braves
This Year: 4th Place (80-74) (9 GB)
Last Year: 5th Place (71-83) (20 GB)
Two Years Ago: 5th Place (73-81) (15 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 3 (won pennants in '34, '35, '36)
Pro Cups: None (but did do well in the postseason... lost to the IPA champs in those three years... 2034 - beaten by powerful IPA champ North Hills in 7 games in Tycobbian title game... 2035 - fell to IPA champ Tuckanarra in first round in 7-game series... 2036 - upended in 6 games in Tycobbian title game by IPA champ North Hills)


Team Stats: .282 BA (3rd), 805 runs (5th), 116 HR (22nd-tied), 4.12 ERA (22nd), .969 (poor defense)

Top Batters: 2B Tex Whatley (.283/24/105/81/2 SB), LF Adam Maxson (.333 BA/15 HR/71 RBI/65 R/4 SB), 3B Frank Luckett (.286/15/67/51/15 SB), RF Rico Visaggi (.321/4/64/59/4 B), SS Derrell Stelly (.287/18/61/69/1 SB), LF Travis Ledger (.327/5/42/58/14 SB), CF Johnny Helwig (.310/8/38/61/7 SB)

Top Pitchers: starters Sharlon Barbour (19-16/3.09), Manny Spaulding (19-14/4.73)... bullpen Chipper Gilton (8-8/1.90/16 saves/52 G)

Forecast: manager Augie Meaux has a fine hitting team, but is short on the longball element... needs improvement on the hill and on defense before he is a pennant contender... offense really carries the club... middle-of-the-pack team with a shot at the first division.

Arlon Champions
This Year: 5th Place (78-76) (11 GB)
Last Year: 2nd Place (90-64) (1 GB)
Two Years Ago: 1st Place (88-66)
Playoff Appearances: 6 (last pennant was recently... won IPA title in '51)
Pro Cups: 1 (2051- whipped Waleska in 6 games for team's only Pro Cup trophy)

Team Stats: .273 BA (10th), 746 runs (12th), 163 HR (10th-tied), 3.91 ERA (13th), .970 FA (fair defense)

Top Batters: 1B P. J. Flagg (.305 BA/25 HR/95 RBI/77 R/4 SB), 2B Leon Normand (.290/19/74/58), SS Art Catlin (.290/18/69/70/5 SB, C Riley Earnshaw (.293/9/53/60)

Top Pitchers: starters J. C. Hilburn (20-14/3.80), Ty Coffee (17-17/2.93), Erik Branham (15-20/4.05), Lanny Gray (14-8/4.34)... nothing worth mentioning in the bullpen

Forecast: manager Mark Cameron has seen his club fall from IPA champ to 5th place in just a couple of seasons... his pitching has drastically declined from 2.81 ERA to 3.91 ERA... while his hitting and offense has picked up quite a bit... not likely to win the pennant, but the Champions could finish in the TU West first division next year.

Kenwood Wildcats
This Year: 6th Place (70-84) (19 GB)
Last Year: 1st Place (91-63)
Two Years Ago: 7th Place (65-89) (23 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 10 (most recent pennant in '52)
Pro Cups: 1 (won only Pro Cup trophy in 2014, defeating Belair Beach in 7 games... lost to the eventual IPA champ: Tuckanarra in '24, North Hills in '41 and South Fork in '42)

Team Stats: .276 BA (9th), 704 runs (20th-tied), 127 HR (19th-tied), 4.40 ERA (26th), .972 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: LF William Gloucester (.321 BA/12 HR/60 RBI/74 R/14 SB), SS Kiko Vidal (.282/18/80/74/7 SB), 3B Bailey Brumley (.287/7/70/65/6 SB), 1B Bralen Connolly (.302/17/70/57), C Corky DiNozzo (.307/17/59/54)

Top Pitchers: starters Rusty Bradford (16-15/4.11), Emmitt Oates (15-15/3.84)... bad bullpen

Forecast: manager Babe Hankins will retire after this season and turn the reins over to superstar catcher Corky DiNozzo (.314 BA/628 HR/1711 RBI/1413 R), a sure-fire Hall-of-Famer... DiNozzo inherits a team with average bats and mediocre pitchers... the best the Wildcats can expect is a slim shot at the first division... that's all... mostly likely will remain in the second division... 5th or 6th.

Rolling Hills Reds
This Year: 7th Place (67-87) (22 GB)
Last Year: 4th Place (72-82) (19 GB)
Two Years Ago: 4th Place (80-74) (8 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 11 (defeated by eventual IPA champ three times... first round in '25 to South Fork... Tycobbian Finals in '27 to Southport... Tycobbian Finals in '32 to San Alejo)
Pro Cups: 3 (swept Stoner Stars in 2029... topped Valmara in 2031 in 6... and defeated Claxton Diamonds in 2048 in 5 games)

Team Stats: .267 BA (13th), 722 runs (15th-tied), 152 HR (14th), 4.73 ERA (30th), .974 FA (average defense)

Top Batters: SS Dustin Thibodeau (.307 BA/25 HR/95 RBI/94 R/12 SB), 1B Darwin Tard (.285/19/79/79/8 SB), RF Orin Phillips (.263/23/72/57/4 SB), C Ryan Nelms (.239/24/64/56), 3B Taddy McKeown (.333/12/56/58), 2B Adam Hynes (.303/3/44/75/23 SB), CF Harv Gatehouse (.258/20/63/53/5 SB)

Top Pitchers: starter Johnny Howard (17-17/3.70)... bullpen Matty Mosby (4-0/2.70/6 saves/29 G)

Forecast: manager and HOF third sacker Billy Christianson has terrible pitching and just an average offense... average defense, too... slated to end up near the bottom of the TU West in the forseeable future... pitching is just too bad.

Bayview Vikings
This Year: 8th Place (64-90) (25 GB)
Last Year: 7th Place (65-89) (26 GB)
Two Years Ago: 8th Place (45-109) (43 GB)
Playoff Appearances: 6 (haven't made the playoffs since 2016)
Pro Cups: None (lost to eventual IPA champ three times... in 2003 to Turon in Elite 8... in 2006 to Turon in Final 4 (Tycobbian Final series)... in 2007 Oxford in TU Finals)

Team Stats: .259 BA (24th), 766 runs (8th), 167 HR (7th), 4.90 ERA (32nd), .969 FA (poor defense)

Top Batters: RF Vern Woodcock (.267 BA/25 HR/74 RBI/66 R/5 SB), C Lou Fairhead (.255/24/94/77/2 SB), 1B Eddie Beeman (.273/18/64/66/4 SB), SS Bing Wolverton (.290/14/68/60)

Top Pitchers: starter Arlo Lounsberry (16-14/4.48)... bullpen Wayne Stewart (6-10/3.18/12 saves/52 G)

Forecast: manager and HOF infielder Jerry Culpepper (.304 BA, 878 HR/2170 RBI/1739 R), IPA all-time leading home run slugger, has an atrocious team... very little to boast about... destined for deep depths of the division for quite some time.

:eatpop: :)

The hard work is done... now I get to enjoy myself with the IPA Pro Cup playoffs... I'll preview the teams and create a Pro Cup Prediction poll... then play out all of the games.