RUTHLANDIAN UNION GOLDEN GLOVERS

*** Buchanan **** Spears **** Radzikowski ***

RUTHLANDIAN UNION GOLDEN GLOVERS

*** Arredondo **** Woodruff **** Holmes ****

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, October 18, 2053

BLUEBLOOD SKIPPERS NAMED TOP MANAGERS
Many times in the media, many of the most successful managers get short shrift when it comes to honors, awards and trophies... here's the philosophy: the skippers with the most talent should win the pennants and the championships so says the voters in the polls... many times the Manager of the Year Awards go to the manager that takes a club from the outhouse to the penthouse... in fact, they might not even have to win the pennant... just go from 7th or 8th place to 2nd place... go from 50 or 60 wins to 80 wins... or 70 victories to 85 victories and you get the trophy.

Not this year in the Islandian Pro Alliance... the big-time powerhouse managers were the only ones that got any votes... the race got down to Taranto's Augie Marshall and Middlefield's Ricky Tinker in the Ruthlandian Union... and in the Tycobbian Union it was a three-way battle between Turon's C. C. Kingsford, Oxford's Dennis Hartwig and Midway's Bobby Dorignac... last year's awards went to Tinker and Kingsford.

Did they win again?... no... the 2053 Ruthlandian Union Manager of the Year was Augie Marshall of the Taranto Tars... he was the overwhelming choice this season, handily beating last year's winner Ricky Tinker of the Middlefield Roosters... Marshall improved his club from 99-55 to 103-51... Taranto had the best record in the Islandian Pro Alliance this year... it's sad, but it may be true, that Tinker lost some votes because his Roosters went from 106 wins last year to 99 this year... plus he won the award last year... the pundits can be a fickle bunch.

There was a battle royal in the Tycobbian Union... all three skippers in the running kicked it up a notch and did better this year than last... it looks like the 2053 Tycobbian Union Manager of the Year Award was given to Midway's Bobby Dorignac because his Wolves upped their record from 91-63 to 100-54 -- 9 more wins... last year's victor, C. C. Kingsford, only improved from 96-58 to 101-53 -- only 8 more wins... third place went to Oxford's Dennis Hartwig... his Red Caps could only rise from 86-69 to 91-63 -- just 5 better.

Regardless of what criteria the voters used, congratulations to first-time winners, Augie Marshall and Bobby Dorignac... they were the victors and deserved it... all of the skippers deserved it... each of them did a fine job... it's hard to keep a club at the top of the heap each year and to follow a successful season with another one... they all did it.

Both Marshall and Dorignac had very successful playing careers in the IPA... Marshall played the outfield for 21 years, 10 with Taranto... he batted .287, hit 504 homers and drove in 1719 runs and was inducted into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame in 2049... Marshall was a 9-time All-Star and 2013 Ruthlandian Rookie of the Year... he was on the 2015 Pro Cup title team, batting .323 with 47 homers and 131 RBIs in his third season in the league... in the playoffs that year Marshall hit .375 with 5 homers, 18 ribbies and 18 runs scored in 17 games... he homered twice in the title-clinching game and was voted the Co-MVP of the playoffs.

Bobby Dorignac was no slouch, either... also a Hall-of-Famer, chosen in 2039... overall record was 315-228 with 2.96 ERA...played all 18 years with Midway... but never won a Pro Cup as a player... however, he came fairly close in 2022... Midway went to the Pro Cup Finals and lost in 6 games to the Crystal Lake Crushers... Dorignac was in his second season and went 19-14 as a 21-year-old... in the playoffs that year he was sensational, going 5-0 with a super-low 0.64 ERA, beating champ Crystal Lake twice in the Finals... he finished second in the Pro Cup MVP voting... finally in 2053 Dorignac got his Pro Cup ring... he did this year as the Wolves' skipper... Midway whipped Taranto and Marshall four games to two.

MAGIC MOMENTS FROM YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 10, 2015

2015 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 5 At Bay St. Clair

Tars Slam Bucs 13-5, Win First Pro Cup
Taranto proved they can hit the ball out of the park any place and anywhere... the Tars boomed 4 out of Shoreline Park and slammed the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers 13-5 to win the 2015 IPA Pro Cup in just five games... it was Tommaso Lazzorda and the Tars first ever IPA championship.

Taranto showed they meant business by blasting the Bucs for 8 runs in the first frame... RF Augie Marshall (.375) and LF Arnie Kennedy (.304) sparked the rampage with 4 RBIs each... Marshall hit 2 homers and Kennedy and 1B Pietro Skrmetta (.279) belted one apiece... Marshall and Kennedy rapped 5 each in the postseason, while Skrmetta had 4... Bay St. Clair's CF Todd Bryant (.328) and LF Bruno DiPirro (.344) went deep, but the Bucs couldn't get any closer than 9-4 in the third... Taranto sent them reeling with 3 more runs in the top of the fourth for an 8-run lead.

Jimmy Mosley (3-2 4.13) came up with another important win... Mosley surrendered 5 runs and 8 hits, but was good enough to win... Surprise starter Don Yaden (0-1) sustained the loss and had to endure the terrible first inning... Guy Rondre gave Yaden the start in hopes that he could slow down the Tars the plate and get the Buccaneers back into the series... Yader was an effective reliever during the season with a 6-1 record in 51 games.

Lazzorda lauded his entire team, saying, "Everybody on the club contributed... the hitters get the press and the glory, but my pitchers did a fine job, too... actually we won because of our pitching... it's not easy to pitch in a place like the Palazzo di Sport and stay sane." He added, "When you have as many good bats as I do, it makes my job a breeze... If there has ever been a better hitting team in the IPA, I have never seen them."

Bay St. Clair's Guy Rondre was greatly disappointed in losing the Pro Cup. He told the press, "I really thought we could beat anybody after we knocked off Ozarka."

MAGIC MOMENTS FROM YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 11, 2015

Marshall and Kennedy Pro Cup MVPs
The 2015 IPA Pro Cup Series was a hitter's delight. Consequently the Most Valuable Player Award went to a pair of prolific hitters: Augie Marshall and Arnie Kennedy of the champion Taranto Tars shared the award. The two sluggers demolished Bay St. Clair pitching and sparked the Tars to the IPA crown in five games.

Marshall, the 21-year-old right fielder, hit .375 in the playoffs with 5 home runs, 18 RBIs and 18 runs scored, while 27-year-old left fielder Arnie Kennedy rapped 5 out of the park, drove in 20 runs, scored 16 times and posted a .304 batting average. Each one of them delivered crucial hits at various times in the postseason. Chazzie DiBartolo played a big part in the Tars title run with a fine 4-0 record and was the only other votegetter in the poll.

MAGIC MOMENTS FROM YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 7, 2022

2022 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 2
(best-of-seven)

Midway Evens Pro Cup, Trims CL 5-2
Pitching prevailed again in game two of the IPA Pro Cup Finals, but this time it was Midway that had it... the Wolves Bobby Dorignac stopped Crystal Lake 5-2 to even up the series at one game each... Dorignac (4-0 0.79) continued his remarkable playoff run with his fourth straight victory... the awesome 22-year-old right-hander limited the Crushers to just 4 hits and no earned runs in his 8 innings... Dorignac struck out 3 and walked 3... Dom Vilaggio (.208) closed it out for him with a 1-2-3 ninth for his 3rd postseason save... Ralph McCullough (2-2 2.48) lost it in a complete game, giving up 3 earned runs and 6 hits with 4 strikeouts and a couple of walks.

The Wolves leaped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning... LF Chitto Chandler, who failed to get a clutch hit the day before, got one today... Chandler (.214) doubled in 2 runs in the opening frame... Chandler went to third on a balk and came in on a 2B Frank Reinhard (.267) ground-out... the Crushers chopped away at the lead with a run in the fourth on an error and another unearned score in the sixth... the Wolves padded the 3-2 lead with 2 insurance runs in the top of the ninth... Midway got the first one on an error and the second one on an RBI single by Chandler... Chandler paced the Wolves with 2 hits and 2 RBIs... RF Kyle Rigney (.352) chipped in with 2 runs scored... SS Maska Chandler (.191) went 2-4 and scored a run for the winners... neither club played well defensively... they each made 3 miscues.

MAGIC MOMENTS FROM YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 10, 2022

2022 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 5
(best-of-seven)

Midway Hangs Tough, Takes Game Five 2-1
Playing at home at Joe Wolf Stadium, the Midway Wolves still have some fight left in them... trailing three-games-to-one in the Pro Cup Series, Midway got another standout outing from Bobby Dorignac, who halted Crystal Lake 2-1 in game 5... Dorignac (5-0 0.64) has been sensational in the playoffs... he held the Crushers to 6 hits and no earned runs, struck out 5 and walked one in his 8 innings... closer Dom Vilaggio (1.86) came in and did his job to perfection, setting Crystal Lake down in order in the ninth for his 4th playoff save... Ralph McCullough (2-3 2.44) was almost as good as Dorignac... he worked a complete game, yielded just 2 runs on 6 hits with 7 Ks and 3 walks.

Midway scored first on 1B Cal Hunter's (.294) solo homer in the second frame... the Wolves got run number two when two singles and a walk loaded up the bases... SS Maska Chandler (.190) got the game-winner in when he grounded into a double play... the Crushers cut it to 2-1 in the sixth on a two-base error and an RBI single by 1B Phil Gravelli (.277)... Hunter and RF Kyle Rigney (.358) pace the Wolves with 2 hits apiece... Hunter scored both Midway runs.

MAGIC MOMENTS FROM YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 15, 2022

Crushers Welch Pro Cup MVP
Almost hands down, Crystal Lake's brilliant 28-year-old southpaw Duncan Welch has been chosen the Pro Cup Most Valuable Player. Only one other player received support in The Islandian Times poll. Finishing a distance second was Midway standout Bobby Dorignac. Welch sparked the Crushers to the Pro Cup crown with a perfect 6-0 record in 6 starts with 4 complete games and a superb 1.03 ERA. The 22-year-old Dorignac was even better, but his Wolves didn't win the title, losing in six games. Dorignac was 5-0 with a microscopic 0.64 ERA. Welch was 23-12 in his sixth season and posted a 2.18 ERA, while second-year man Dorignac compiled a 19-14 mark and a 2.74 ERA.

This is the second time the lanky 6' 7" Welch has copped the Pro Cup MVP award. He also led Crystal Lake to the Island championship two years ago when they pulled a big upset by beating favored Ozarka. Welch was 6-1 in that series, notching a 2.36 ERA. He is 12-1 in the postseason with an outstanding 1.71 ERA. Lifetime Welch is 117-72 with a great 2.25 ERA.

Administering 64 teams just takes too much time.

To cut down on the administrative time requirements, I have decided to just let the OOTP AI handle almost everything related to team rosters.

I will no longer adjust team rosters in the off season.

I will simply report on the Islandian Pro Alliance.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, May 1, 2054

AWAY WE GO - SEASON 54 IN THE ISLANDS
The Islandian Pro Alliance kicked off its 54th season in April and has gone through one month of play... the teams are off and running... most of last year's division winners are doing well... five of them are atop the standings: Taranto, Wynnamac, Middlefield in the Ruthlandian Union... and Midway and Turon leaders in the Tycobbian Union... two of them are near the top... Waleska in the RU South is two games out and Oxford in the TU North is one game behind... in the TU West Kenwood isn't doing so well... the Wildcats are above the .500 mark, but are already seven games off the pace.

IPA Standings

*

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, May 1, 2054

TARS ON TOP IN RU NORTH, BUT NOT BY MUCH
At the end of the first month of play, it's a good race in the Ruthlandian North Division... 6 of the teams have winning records with favored Taranto (17-7) on top as expected, but not by much... the Tars are only one game up on Glasco (16-8) and Far Mountain (16-8), two better than Valmara (15-12) and four ahead of LaGrange (13-11) and Ancona (13-11)... Taranto is going for its third straight divisIon crown.

In a blockbuster deal Taranto traded for superstar outfielder Lenny Buisson (.326 BA/52 HR/135 RBI) and added a lot more offense to its attack, but had to give the Belle Plaine Musketeers three solid players for him... two budding hurlers with much potential: starter Jaron Montague (14-4/3.31) and reliever Raphael Palmieri (4-1/1.52/2 saves/19 G), along with a talented part-time outfielder Cody Losby (.336 BA/19 HR/45 RBI/49 R), that had trouble getting playing time on the talent-laden Tars... could be a win-win for both clubs.

Taranto (17-7) manager Augie Marshall has them going on all cylinders, getting fine pitching from starters Freddy DeAngelis (5-1/3.04) and Armani Pizziconi (3-2/2.82)... Enzo Ferrara (4-0/1.73) is back after missing most of last year with an arm injury and starting off in terrific fashion... he was 17-15 in his rookie season... he could make fans forget Montague and Palmieri... Taranto is hitting the tar out of the baseball, leading the Ruthlandian Union and the entire IPA with 43 homers... CF Renzo Caruso (.383 BA/5 HR/10 RBI/14 R), LF Kuma Toyota (.359/9 HR/16 RBI/13 R) and C Niccolo Parisi (.268 BA/6 HR/13 RBI/12 r) are tearing up the opposition so far... 1B Phil Wilson (.263 BA/5 HR/14 RBI14 R) is a solid hitter, too... however, Buisson (.243 BA/4 HR/9 RBI/10 R) is off to a slow start for him... Buisson is a career .333 batter... look out when he starts hitting.

The second place Glasco Athletics (16-8) under Charles Darby are off to a blazing start... a huge turnaround from last year's 7th place (72-82)... it's the A's pitching (3.06 ERA/5th) that has them doing so well, led by Evan Walsh (3-2/1.62), Benny McDaniel (3-3/2.57) and Pat Meyers (4-2/3.58)... vet closer Ken McLin (2-0/2.93/6 G) is doing well in the bullpen, too... at the plate last year's batting crown winner Callum Slattery (.407 BA/2 HR/12 RBI/18 R/6 SB)) is off to a fine start and getting some help from 3B Allen Spears (.305/3/13/18) BA) and SS Odis Tomlin (.299/2/12/14/4 SB).

It's been 5 years since the Far Mountain Redhawks (16-8) made the first division... last year they came in fifth (79-75/24 GB)... this season manager Robby Kelly is getting super pitching and has them tied for second in the standings... the Redhawk rotation is leading the league with a 2.71 ERA... leading the way is Ryan Kolb (4-1/1.42), Benny Van (5-1/2.09) and Stan Smith (3-2/3.43)... however, Kelly falls way short at the plate... the team is hitting a lowly .242 (28th)... CF Ox Gless (.289 BA/4 HR/16 RBI) and RF Frankie Neill (.231/9/21/12) supply the only power and the only offense.

Over in the maritime regions skipper Uncle Vanya Vasylenko always had a good club in Valmara... the Valmara Vipers (15-9) still have strong pitching... they stumbled in fourth (80-74/23 GB) last year, but the offense seems to have perked up this year... veteran starters Primo Sirak (4-0/2.79) and Darek Polaski (3-2/2.32) are as good as ever and this season have some help from 22-year-old Jiro Valastro (3-0/3.38)... he was a rookie reliever last year and has been moved into the starting rotation... the Viper attack is sparked by vets RF Boyd Holmes (.323 BA/4 HR/20 RBI/13 R), 3B Ken Jensen (.298/1/11/17), CF Don Ritchie (.308/1/10/17), C Karol Koska (.310/4/13/11) and SS Andrew Parkhill (.316/0/11/10/2 B).

Mike York is at the helm of the fifth place LaGrange Sports (13-11) and he has them off-and-running and playing much better than last year's cellar-dwelling club (57-97/46 GB)... starters Elvis Capell (2-2/2.56), Gerard Dubois (2-3/3.47) and Johnny Stoneman (2-0/2.70) are heading up the staff... the best thing about the Sports is their standout bullpen, paced by Rudy Bonnett (3-0/1.89/7 G) and Rob Fullmer (1-1/1.50/5 G)... York has a lukewarm offense... LaGrange only has two reliable bats: LF Sonny Ricard (.263 BA/6 HR/17 RBI/12 R) and SS Ralph Julien (.277/5/15/15).

The Ancona Red Elephants (13-11) came in distant second last season (83-71/20 GB) to Taranto... skipper Alekos Kotas has an impressive staff (3.04 ERA), but little offense (.241 B)... his starting rotation is Roger Kostas (3-2/2.66), Benjie Scaggs (3-2/2.40) and Denny Scurlock (3-2/3.38)... plus Kotas has a quality and reliable bullpen, too... sadly, there just isn't much in the Ancona batting order... just a couple of decent bats in 2B Jason Seleznick (.299 BA/4 HR/14 RBI/5 R) and SS Ron Drinkwater (.280/1/7/14).

The Kilkenny Cats (11-13) are in seventh place in the RU North... the offense is sparse (.250 BA)... led by 1B Ryan Reagan (.228 BA/6 HR/23 RBI/11 R), who goes deep and drive in runs, but is batting a lousy .228 so far... 3B Jorge Collazo (.338/1/9/17) is doing well at the plate... recently RF Butch Sheppard (.442/2/9/11) has stood out since getting some playing time in a platoon situation... just an average mound corps... only dependable starters are Braydon Washbourne (3-2/2.12) and veteran Glen Caswell (1-3/3.33)... and not much of a bullpen, either (4.67 ERA)... last year manager Kevin McLaglen led the Cats to sixth place with a 78-76 mark.

At the end of April the Ranford Bulls (10-14) are in last place... not playing real badly and not playing very well... they finished third last year under manager Kyle Hunt with an 80-74 record, 22 games back of pennant-winning Taranto (103-51)... more or less an average ballclub... Hunt still has talent... superstar Ralph Hawk (5-1/0.87) is off to a great season at age 36... he is 298-159 in his 17th season with a brilliant 2.41 ERA... Martin Futch (0-2/2.45/2 saves/13 G) is solid in the bullpen... Neil Martin (3-2/3.58) is a capable starter... the offense is led by CF Joey Hawkins (.253 BA/5 HR/13 RBI/9 R)... but he is off to a sluggish start... Hawkins is a career .316 batter... RBI man 2B Don Connell (.275/4/15/8) is having his normal solid season... and LF Zach Isom (.301/2/5/14) is a lightly-productive bat, that hit for average.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, May 1, 2054

TIGHT TUSSLE IN RU SOUTH
The Ruthlandian South doesn't appear to have any Pro Cup contenders, but they do have a tight pennant race after one month of action... the St. John Crusaders (14-10) are the top team so far with a 2-game edge over last year's division champ Waleska (12-12) and Valka (12-12)... in fourth place is Belair Beach (11-13), trailing by 3 games... in the preseason forecast the Waleska Westerners were made a slight favorite over the Valka Blackhawks, St. John Crusaders and Belair Beach Sunbirds... basically the baseball experts said it was a 4-team toss-up... any one of them could win the pennant.

St. John (14-10) has moved to the top of the standings by virtue of its .305 team batting average, best in the Ruthlandian Union by far... and second in the IPA, beaten only by the Turon Typhoons (.306 BA)... however, all is not good for manager Nicky Farrugia... his pitching is borderline terrible (4.44 ERA-26th)... the Crusader attack was greatly enhanced by the addition of talented CF Freddie Woodruff (.353 BA/2 HR/12 RBI/19 R) to the lineup... they picked him up in a trade with Fort Benton for pitcher Zeke Yoder (2-2/3.04)... they also got pitcher Perry Blystone (2-2/6.00), but he has not been effective thus far... he has to do well for it to be a good trade... heading up the St. John attack are a slew of solid hitters like LF Sherrill Westerfield (.412), RF Cris Hershey (.373), SS Charley Farley (.310) and 2B Herbie Gruen (.307)... the Crusaders do have a fine, 21-year-old southpaw Whitlow Cornwell, who is going great guns with a 4-0 record and a 1.53 ERA... St. John was a distant third in '53 with a 79-75 mark... it will be tough to sustain their attack for the entire season... not likely... might be a wise move to trade a bat or two for a starting pitcher.

Skipper Roy Hobbs is having a slow go this year... his Waleska Westerners (12-12) have been slow out of the gate in April... he still has good, young starters in Trey Earnest (4-1/3.31), Lou Carlson (1-1/1.77), Vince Gibson (3-2/3.86) and Kenny Foster (2-4/4.93)... pitching is always his strength... it has won him the RU South flag for the last three seasons... Waleska is badly in need of bullpen help... 4.81 ERA will just not cut the mustard... Hobbs' bats are not doing the job, either... the longball is drastically missing... ranking last in the entire IPA with only 8 homers for the month... his only decent contributors are RF Zip McHan (.358), CF Allie Connors (.325), 3B Hershel Briggs (.297) and 2B Richie Fry (.296).

The Valka Blackhawks (12-12) have Hall of Fame pitcher Arno Vainmaa (316-252/2.73 ERA) in charge... the Blackhawks are just average offensively (.272 BA) and mediocre on the hill (4.38 ERA)... his staff is led by a quality veteran Arvi Tamm (4-1/3.74)... his starting rotation is young and has potential... at age 20 Eerik Jogi (1-1/3.00) is a comer... Vainmaa has some capable hitters in RF Mel Shadwell (.360 BA/6 HR/17 RBI/16 R), 3B Corey Belk (.337/1/10/8) and 2B Olev Tarvas (.326/2/11/16/4 SB).

Belair Beach (11-13) finished fourth last year (75-79/14 GB) and made the first division for the first time in four years... the Sunbirds were seventh four straight seasons under manager Bob Meusel... his club has trouble scoring runs (25th), but has a fine pitching corps (3.30 ERA-10th), anchored by Kevin Tolbert (2-2/2.20) and Glen Long (3-3/3.07)... Jeffrey Verblen (2-2/3.94) and Zak Culberson (2-3/3.92) fill out the starting rotation... Meusel also has a quality bullpen with Tom Cook (1-0/2.60/3 saves/13 G) and Kyle Gibson (0-1/1.80/1 save/6 G)... the Sunbirds' best offensive performers are CF Corky Goodnight (.333 BA/2 HR/14 RBI/11 R/3 SB), SS Alvaro Abreu (.329/0/11/9), 1B Rusty Van Slyke (.294/3/9/12) and fine defensive Gold Glove catcher Johnny Samarin (.277/4/13/11)... Belair Beach acquired Samarin from Marston in a swap for pitcher Tommy Hester (4-2/5.27).

The fifth place San Dimas Rancheros (10-14) haven't made the postseason since 2041, haven't ever won a Pro Cup and are not likely to do it this year or anytime soon... they may be a little better this season... last year they were a miserable 59-95 and in the cellar of the RU South... Shannon White is the manager, but doesn't have a lot of talent to work with... the Rancheros are just a second-division also-ran... Tyler Tydings (2-2/4.17) is the best starter... veteran closer Kenny Robinson (2-2/0.92/1 save/11 G) is a stud in the bullpen... they are the best of a poor staff... the offense is anemic (.254 BA) with just one fairly decent hitter: LF Manuel Madura (.311 BA/1 HR/12 RBI/12 R/4 SB).

For the last five years the Crystal Lake Skippers (9-15) have been a losing ballclub... they haven't won a pennant since 2044, but they do have two Pro Cup trophies (2020 and 2022)... the Skippers are off to a bad start this year already 5 games out of first and sixth in the standings... ex-pitching great Duncan Welch is running the team... he did well in the first few seasons, but is now adrift in mediocrity with not a lot to boast about... his best pitcher is 35-year-old closer Josh Crosby (3-0/1.25/2 saves/13 G)... his top hitters are 3B Jasper Shackelford (.397 BA/1 HR/8 RBI/7 R), LF Alex Mundy (.348/5/17/13), C Del Peevy (.337/3/13/12) and RF Kunitaro Sakata (.300/2/8/8)... gonna be another long and lackluster season for Crystal Lakers.

What has happened to the Grand City Cybercats (7-17)?... last year they were second with an 85-69 record and challenged Waleska for the division title, losing out by 5 games... and the C'Cats were in the running the year before with a third place finish at 81-73 (9 GB)... manager Duncan Welch's pitching has simply gone bye bye... last year the staff posted a fine 3.44 ERA... this year it has skied to a 4.90 ERA... Frank Long (4-2/3.49) and George Marz (2-2/4.09) are the only effective starters... the bats are just average... but Grand City did make a good trade to get slugging 1B Vince Kinston (.277 BA/5 HR/13 RBI/10 R) from Arroyo Grande... they gave up two young pitchers, Roy Tuthill (1-2/3.00) and Rusty Stephens (1-2/3.80)... the Cybercats are led at the plate by Kinston, 2B Laney Carrigan (.355/1/4/7), CF Rocky Valverdi (.303/1/7/11/3 SB) and LF Dave Durocher (.275/4/16/9).

The last place Claxton Diamonds (7-17) haven't had a winning season since 2049 (88-66)... came in sixth the last two years with 70-84 and 67-87 records... last RU South title came in 2049... still waiting for the club's first Pro Cup... manager Jojo DeLucca has horrendous pitching (5.12 ERA), but he has good hitting (.269/7th) and good power (23 HR/7th)... 2B DeLucca (.264 BA/3 HR/17 RBI/12 R) is still a good ballplayer at 39... he is also the playing manager... helping out at the plate are CF Duke Rafferty (.358/4/10/10), RF Konrad Neumann (.277/2/15/12/4 SB) and LF Scoops Dunn (.333/2/7/9)...and 24-year-old OF Whiz Bright (.378/3/10/9) is getting a shot in a platoon situation against right-handers... on the mound Alvaro Spinosa (2-2/3.98) and Claus Antoon (2-3/4.18) are Claxton's only quality starters... the outlook for the Diamonds is not shining... bottom of the RU South likely.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, May 1, 2054

WMACS LEAD RU EAST LOGJAM
The Wynnamac Sundowners (15-9) have won the Ruthlandian East Division the last two seasons and are a heavy favorite to win it again... but this year, at least in the early stages, they have quite a few challengers... the Sundowners are currently tied with the unheralded Eastshore Cotton Kings (15-9) for first place with the Sugar Valley Rattlers (14-10) hissing at their heels in the second spot in the standings... and the fourth place Marston Nine (12-12) are also jamming up things tightly... even the fifth place clubs, Elnora (11-13) and Beechwood (11-13), are bunched near the leaders, only four games back.

Hall of Famer hurler Jerry Meeks (313-214/2.93) is in charge of the Wynnamac Sundowners (15-9) and he has them rolling along quite well as they have been for the last decade or so... great pitching usually makes a club a contender in the IPA... Meeks is almost always in the top four teams and has captured four division titles since 2042... only once in its history has Wynnamac brought home a Pro Cup title... that was in 2008... the Sundowners have made the postseason 9 times.

The WMACs depend on the mound staff for success... they are solid as usual this year with a 3.23 ERA (8th), anchored by starters James Duncan (4-0/2.78), George Medworth (3-1/2.81), Simon Northcott (4-2/3.72) and Sammy Hayes (1.-3/3.68)... and Meeks' bullpen is in good hands with Garan Parula (3-2/2.05/2 saves/10 G)... the Sundowners hit well for average with .285 (2nd), but they are only 12th in scoring runs... top guns are RF Charley Bristol (.429 BA/4 HR/16 RBI/16 R), C Jethro Bibbs (.353/2/14/13), 2B Wiz Ivie (.326/0/11/14/4 SB) and 1B Enos Benham (.321/3/11/11).

What has gotten into the Eastshore Cotton Kings (15-9)?... they have been mired in the second division for the last seven seasons... haven't won a pennant since 2034... came in dead last the last two years... and this year the Cotton Kings were picked to finish near the bottom the RU East... but lo and behold, at the end of April they are right up there at the top of the standings tied for the top spot with powerhouse Wynnamac... good pitching does make a difference... manager Scotty Lagrange (.295 BA/451 HR), a Hall of Fame player, has fashioned a good staff led by Malcolm Tansbury (4-1/0.59) and Ted Weiss (3-1/2.91) and veteran closer Trent Niven (3-0/1.76/3 saves/8 G)... the team ERA is 3.41 (11th)... much improved over last year's 4.32 ERA... the bats are just average with a .256 BA (19th)... the Cotton Kings only have so-so batters... the best of the lot are LF Ryne Moncriffe (.293 BA/4 HR/13 RBI/10 R) and 2B Ross Haley (.273/1/12/11/2 SB)... not the kind of offense that wins division titles... and certainly won't win a Pro Cup... Eastshore has made the postseason on 7 occasions and won two IPA crowns... in 2016 and 2017.

Manager Bobby Gamble and his second place Sugar Valley Rattlers (14-10) were the rage of the RU East from 2038 to 2051, winning 8 division flags and one Pro Cup (2045)... they have appeared in the playoffs 18 times... but for the last two seasons they were just average (77-77) and just plain bad (68-86)... terrible pitching (4.42 ERA) tumbled them to 7th place last year... the offense and home-run power are still there... .267 BA (14th) and 27 HR (2nd-tied)... and the pitching has shown some improvement, led by starter Elvis Bonham (3-2/2.96) and closer Chris Cozart (3-0/3.09/1 save/5 G)... Bonham, Cozart, along with 1B Shiloh Harris (.283 BA/4 HR/13 RBI/7 R) were obtained in a huge swap with Rocky Rapids for star 1B Deke Lundy (.356/3/12/7)... so far, the trade looks good for both teams... sparking the Rattler attack are Harris, talented 3B Tuck Alstott (.320/6/17/24/10 SB) and 37-year-old superstar LF Carl Ramsey (.366/6/15/16/4 SB).

The Marston Nine (12-12) came in third last season (75-79) and were slotted for the same spot in the preseason polls... they are currently in fourth place... the Nine is skippered by Russ Woodward, a great all-around star outfielder, who will be inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame at the All-Star Game this year... Woodward was a 9-time All-Star and a 6-time Gold Glover, batting .315 lifetime with 621 homers... he has piloted Marston to three straight first-division finishes... it's been 6 years since the club won a pennant... only 7 times in its history have they made the postseason playoffs and the Nine has never won the Pro Cup.

Woodward made a big move in the offseason, trading 5 players to High Mesa for star LF Joe Duplantis (.303 BA/6 HR/13 RBI/13 R/4 SB)... to bolster the offense he gave up a solid starter in Snooky Knaup (17-20/3.05) and four young position players with potential for the slugger, who last year hit .310 with 41 roundtrippers and 102 RBIs... so far the trade favors Marston as Knaup (3-3/5.11) has struggled in the Tycobbian Union... High Mesa was trying to get better pitching... Marston pitching is worse this year, but they are scoring more runs, ranking 3rd in the RU with 121 runs and 9th in homers with 22... C Boomer Merritt (.342 BA/4 HR/12 RI/14 R) is a solid tandem with Duplantis.

Former IPA star pitcher Stan Kivas (237-203/3.45 ERA) is the head man for the fifth place Elnora All-Stars (11-13)... they were a distant second (78-76) in the standings last year to division champ Wynnamac (89-65)... wound up third in 2052 (83-71/12 GB)... the All-Stars were rated the second-best team in the RU East in the preseason picks... 9 times Elnora has made the postseason and won their only IPA crown in 2033... and have no playoff appearances since 2035... the pitching is just average with a 3.85 ERA (16th), but the club can hit (.280 BA/5th) and score runs (117 R/9th)... 2B Mickey Wilbur (.397 BA/4 HR/20 RBI/15 R), LF Robb Norwood (.400/4/16/9) and 1B Gus Abreu (.389/4/14/21) generate most of the offense... Billy Ehrenreich (3-3/3.20) and Slim Harding (3-3/2.61) are solid starters... but there isn't much quality after them... the bullpen is just plain bad (5.33 ERA).

The fifth place Beechwood Blues (11-13) have been stuck in the second-division doldrums for almost a decade now... one of the worst franchises in the IPA with only three postseason appearances... 2027 was the last pennant... never won a Pro Cup... never even come close... picked to end up last this season... manager Maury Patterson (267-190/3.04) was a fine pitcher, who rarely played with a good team behind him... currently the team is absolutely awful at the plate, batting a horrible .225 (32nd)... the Blues are the worst hitting team in the Islands... but Patterson has a good pitching corps with a 3.46 ERA (12th)... Lenny Medford (2-3/2.70) and Vonnelle Byrnes (2-2/2.95) are very capable starters and the Beechwood bullpen might be the best in the IPA with a 1.82 ERA... Owen Greenacre (2-1/2.16/3 saves/11 G) is the closer... CF Rod McClellan (.309 BA/5 HR/22 RBI/11 R) is the only reliable threat in the line-up... he has absolutely no help offensively.

The seventh place Belle Plaine Musketeers (10-14) tried to jump start the club in the offseason with a major trade... manager Slick Hammill gave up superstar slugger Lenny Buisson, a .333 career hitter with 307 homers... last year he drove in 135 runs, hit 52 homers and batted at a .326 clip... Taranto traded two young pitchers, Jaron Montague (14-4/3.31) and Raphael Palmieri (4-1/1.52/19 G), along with OF Cody Losby (.336 BA/19 HR/45 RBI/49 R/70 G)... Losby (.338/2 HR/9 RBI/9 R) is doing well with his new club, while Montague (1-3/4.35) and Palmieri (1-3/5.03) have struggled... so has Buisson (.243 BA/4 HR/9 RBI/10 R).

The Musketeers have a horrible history in the IPA... just one postseason appearance long, long ago and way, way back in 2009... Hammill has a mediocre ballclub, but if the newcomers perform to their potential, it may prove to be a profitable swap... but the fans really miss their beloved Buisson, who gave them something to cheer about for 6 glorious seasons.

Belle Plaine has two quality starters in Joe-Joe Bouvier (2-1/1.58) and Al McKeown (2-3/4.21)... should Montague and Palmieri prove to be effective, Hammill has him a good starting four... the Muskies' offense is led by CF Lyle Cuthbert (.346 BA/4 HR/14 RBI/10 R/2 SB), 1B Chuck Gregory (.250/5/19/14), RF Cody Losby (.338 BA/2 HR/9 RBI/9 R), 2B Royce Hill (.345/2/4/11) and LF Andy Williams (.268/1/8/11/2 SB).

The last place Cold Creek Catamounts (8-16) are on a three-year losing streak... and it looks like it will increase to four... despite having a great Hall of Fame pitcher as manager, the Cold Creekers have lousy pitching with a 5.27 ERA... J. J. Gillespie was a 5-time Golden Arm winner and 3-time Ruthlandian MVP, posting a 294-170 career record with a terrific 2.46 ERA, but it doesn't seem to help his pitching staff... strangely, the Catamounts are good hitters with a strong .284 BA (4th), 117 runs (9th-tied) and 21 HR (10th-tied)... Gillespie's batting order is chocked full of fine batsmen like superstar Joe Cochrane (.326 BA/5 HR/14 RBI/10 R), 1B Bobby Dundee (.354/4/14/19), CF Jimmy Lange (.337/2/12/17/5 SB), 3B Gene Winston (.295/2/8/16) and RF Mel Parnell (.309/1/12/16)... Cold Creek doesn't have a quality pitcher, but veteran Jimmy Engels (4-1/4.47) occasionally will give you a good outing... it's going to be a long season for Cold Creek.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, May 1, 2054

NOTHING NEW IN RU WEST, ROOSTERS REIGN
The Middlefield Roosters (18-6) have been the best in the west for almost a decade, copping 7 Ruthlandian West Division flags... they are currently on a string of 5 pennants in a row... after a month of play the red-hot Roosters have built up a 3-game edge over runners-up Sligo (15-9) and Rocky Rapids (15-9)... and they are 7 games better than fourth place Fort Benton (11-13)... the Rovers and Snappers were their main competition last season, but didn't really offer much of a challenge... Sligo (90-64) was second and 9 GB and Rocky Rapids (84-70) third and 15 games back.

First place Middlefield (18-6) is still a powerhouse with a fine attack and better-than-average pitching... this year manager Ricky Tinker's Roosters top the RU in scoring runs with 148 and are second in homers with 27... as a team they are hitting .284 (3rd)... on the hill they rank 14th with a 3.72 team ERA... RF Trip Agarn (.365 BA/4 HR/20 RBI/14 R/2 SB) is off to a great start... backed up in the batting order by superstar CF Johnny Wyatt (.256/5/19/13), SS Stan Radzikowski (.316/4/16/22/7 SB), C Johnny McDonald (.306/2/15/11), 1B Skyler Hanson (.301/0/10/17/3 SB) and 2B Gil McCormick (.324/0/8/13)... ranging from 33 to 39, the starters are old, but effective, at least for Hollis Dale (5-0/2.45) and James Long (4-0/2.70)... the other two, Carroll Collier (3-2/6.31) and Larry Wheelhouse (3-3/5.20) had poor Aprils... and closer Norm Coventry (2-1/0.00/5 saves/12 G) is off to a great start in the bullpen... Tinker badly needs some infusion of youth on his mound staff... still Middlefield still has enough to make a run at its third Pro Cup... the Roosters won it in 2005 and 2052... and were one of the favorites to win it last year.

Manager Les Patterson has a fine pitching corps in Sligo... the Sligo Rovers (15-9) are second this season with a superb 2.72 ERA, headed up by starters Bruce Belden (3-3/2/56), Mitch Taylor (3-0/1.29), Mickey Walsh (3-2/3.38) and Tiger Snodgrass (3-2/3.80)... and Aydan Evans (2-1/1.77/2 saves/7 G) is strong in the bullpen, too... however, the Rovers can't hit a lick, batting a lowly .257 (17th), scoring few runs (30th) and hitting few homers (30th)... the best of the lot are 3B Paddy Dunham (.284 BA/1 HR/11 RBI/13 R), LF Artie Hartwell (.308/0/8/7/5 SB) and 2B Rex Mathis (.261/0/5/13/2 SB), CF Merle Bliss (.258/2/9/11/5 SB) and SS Clancy Beaufort (.292/1/7/5)... Sligo wastes a lot of quality starts because of its inferior offense... tough to win a division that way.

The Rocky Rapids Snappers (15-9) are tied for second place in the RU West, trailing Middlefield by 3 games... skipper Junior Noland (169-144/3.44 ERA), a fine Sligo pitcher in his day, has molded a pretty capable crew... his staff has posted an impressive 2.80 ERA (3rd)... and the team is fairly good at the plate with a .271 BA (11th), 104 runs (16th-tied) and 19 homers (16th-tied)... 25-year-old Clay Callaghan (4-1/1.08) has been brilliant in his first two seasons and is off to a great start this year... all-time great Jamie Taylor (4-2/3.08) is also doing well at age 37... he is 304-216 in his career with a splendid 2.54 ERA... the other two starters Sammy Sterling (2-2/3.58) and Ernie Starcher (2-3/3.91) have given Rocky Rapids some quality starts, too... the Snappers' offense is sparked by 1B Deke Lundy (.358 BA/3 HR/12 RBI/7 R), LF Billy Martindale (.314/3/15/16/5 SB), star 2B Marty Featherstone (.269/2/10/13), SS Craig Minton (.323/2/13/17/2 SB) and C Pat Stennett (.256/3/13/8)... Rocky Rapids on paper looks to be better than Sligo this season because of its more productive offense.

For the last 12 seasons the Fort Benton Defenders (11-13) have wound up deep in the second division of the RU West, finishing last 7 times... only once in the club's dismal history has it made the playoffs and that was in 2037... but this season manager Augie Marquis has them fourth in the standings... however, they are already 7 games behind Middlefield... but this is nothing to shout about... the Defenders are just fair at the plate and on the hill, ranking 23rd in run scoring and 19th in ERA... Zeke Yoder (2-2/3.04) and Mark Chester (3-2/4.00) are his best starters... not much talent beyond them in the rotation... in the bullpen Darius Kimberly (2-2/2.08/1 save/11 G) has been solid so far... leading the offense are SS Lucien Lindsey (.322 BA/2 HR/10 RBI/11 R/4 SB), CF Teddy Keyes (.245/0/12/16/7 SB) and RF Dingo Mantle (.278/2/8/13)... don't expect much from Fort Benton again this year... not a lot of talent present.

The fifth-place Forest City Firebirds (10-14) are 8 GB, skippered by Rich Barstow, who labored on the mound for years in obscurity and with bad teams... still he managed 269 wins and 295 losses with a pretty fair 3.79 career ERA... Barstow has been fairly successful with 7 first-division finishes in the last 8 years... the last postseason appearance was 2048... the Firebirds have never won a Pro Cup and have only made the playoffs on 5 occasions... they are just average bats and poor pitchers... not a good recipe for success in the IPA... 2B John Foley (.319 BA/1 HR/10 RBI/17 R/2 SB), CF Randy Snow (.304/0/8/14/1 SB) and SS Ziggy Regan (.280/1/5/14/4 SB) are just fair hitters with no power... Craig Hurley (4-1/3.95) is the only reliable starter... there is nothing in the bullpen... the second division is the most likely spot for Forest City this year... 5th or 6th may be the best they can do.

Tubby Tarkanian, a journeyman catcher, is at the helm of the Volusia Vigilantes (9-15)... and it looks like the V's are on the decline... they are tied for sixth place in the RU West, 9 GB... the Vigilantes ended up third in 2052 with an 82-72 mark (24 GB) and fifth last season with 76-78 (23 GB)... but the pitching and offense is very bleak thus far... both of them are on the downside... Mateus Branco (2-2/2.20) is the ace of the staff with some help from Cloyd Queen (2-3/3.83)... Dan Hunt (1-2/1.59/2 saves/10 G) is solid in the bullpen... at the plate the V's are paced by 3B Teddy Cornelius (.306 BA/1 HR/11 RBI/17 R), RF Jimmy Robinson (.273/4/10/11) and C Ben Billings (.276/2/9/11)... Volusia have been to the playoffs 9 times... the last RU West flag came in 2043... the Vigilantes do have a Pro Cup trophy... they captured the inaugural Pro Cup in the first IPA season in 2001, defeating the Ginza Ninjas.

The Colfax Blasters (9-15) are also in sixth place... Mitch Fullerton is in charge of the club... they can score runs with a .279 BA (6th), ranking 9th in scoring and 16th in roundtrippers, but they are terrible in the pitching department with an atrocious 5.43 ERA (32nd)... Colfax has ended up deep in the second division the last two seasons with 64-90 (7th) and 75-79 (6th) records in '52 and '53... the Blasters may be worse this year... 13 times the team has made the postseason playoffs... most recently in '42... Colfax has won only one Pro Cup... that was in 2010 with one of the greatest teams in IPA history... the Blasters registered a whopping 107 wins that year... Colfax picked up a fine RF Stan Kovalenko (.313 BA/1 HR/10 RBI/19 R/2 SB) from Bay St. Clair for two players... other quality bats are 1B Nicky Yorke (.283/4/17/17) and 3B Nigel Colvin (.354/1/9/13)... spot starter Jorgen Krogstad (3-0/3.82/12 G) is the only pitcher worth mentioning... all the other have ERAs way over the 5.00 mark.

The Stoner Stars (8-16) are last in the RU West, managed by Fletch Fowler... he has average pitching (17th) and lousy hitting (32nd)... the Stars have only made 3 appearances in the postseason with the last pennant coming way back in '29... Stoner has never won a Pro Cup... Kade Crow (1-3/3.00) and Al Raver (2-3/3.50) are the only effective pitchers and LF Steve Brunson (.325 BA/3 HR/14 RBI/8 R/2 SB) the only reliable bat in the lineup... SS Mac Lord (.283/0/11/12) and RF Sammy Bierman (.250/2/13/9) are the best of the rest... Stoner was 7th last year with a 72-82 record (27 GB) and 75-79 (31 GB) in '52... things don't look so good this year so far.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, May 1, 2054

TEAMS JAMMED UP IN TU NORTH
After the first month of action five teams are .500 or better and within four games of each other in the tight Tycobbian North Division... the North Hills Hawks (14-10) and Luxora Zorros (14-10) are deadlocked for the top spot, followed closely by last year's champ, the Oxford Red Caps (13-11) and the Mahaska Haymakers (13-10), who are tied for third place... the White River Rascals (12-12), the preseason favorite, is right at the .500 mark and just two games back of the leaders... Oxford handily won the pennant last season and is forecast to battle the Rascals this year... none of the other six clubs were given much of a chance in the preseason prognostications.

Neither North Hills, nor Luxora did especially well last year... the Hawks (76-78/15 GB) tied for the fourth spot in the standings... neither of them was picked to be contenders... so far in the early going North Hills (14-10) is prospering on it pitching, but is short on offense... manager David Michael (315-234/3.11 ERA) is a Hall of Fame hurler, inducted in 2047... he has a pretty good rotation with Johnny Kristoff (3-3/2.85), Heck Radborne (4-1/3.95), Thad Vachon (4-2/3.56) and Stan Kallis (2-4/3.75)... the staff has posted a fine 3.33 ERA (6th)... but the team is hitting .264 (17th) with only 12 HR (28th-tied) and ranked 21st in scoring runs with 99... the lineup is nondescript with the likes of RF Ryan Webbe (.276 BA/4 HR/15 RBI/10 R), 2B Tony Durant (.277/2/13/8), SS Eddie Rojek (.295/0/8/12/3 SB) and LF Clifton Mahaffey (.299/0/8/12/2 SB)... it's doubtful the Hawks can stay with the offensive prowess of Oxford with its .281 BA (9th), 145 runs (6th-tied) and 30 HR (2nd-tied)... at best North Hills will finish no better than third place.

The Luxora Zorros (14-10) wound up in fifth place (67-87/24 GB) last year... the Z's have average pitching (3.90 ERA/13th) and average offense (116 R/13th) with little power... skipper Kent Halloran's club was picked to finish sixth this season with a losing record... Halloran had a career 258-206 mark with a superb 2.69 ERA in his 18 years with lackluster Luxora... this year Juliano Machado (4-2/3.11) has been solid on the hill so far with some help from Wendell Hasbro (4-1/4.57) and Paolo De Freitas (3-3/4.57)... the only decent bats belong to 1B Tuff McLendon (.310 BA/2 HR/16 RBI/13 R) and CF Tommy Lee Townsend (.265/1/15/12/6 SB)... the Z's are not likely to challenge White River or Oxford this year... Luxora has made the playoffs 11 times in its history, but it's been years since they won a pennant... 2031 was the last time... the Zorros have never won a Pro Cup trophy and have never come close to winning one... and it's not likely soon.

The Oxford Red Caps (13-11) ran away with the TU North last year, winning by 11 games over White River... they got off to a sluggish start in April, but they should be one of the prime contenders... scoring runs is the Red Caps' strength... .281 BA (9th) with 30 HR (2nd-tied) and 145 runs (6th-tied), coupled with good starting pitching (3.49 ERA/7th)... but manager Dennis Hartwig has a lousy bullpen (7.57 ERA/32nd)... his top bats are RF Wade McGrew (.333 BA/7 HR/22 RBI/14 R), CF Dwayne Wagner (.306/5/22/14), LF Ozzy Ackerman (.330/3/16/14/8 SB), 1B Russell Perkins (.320/3/9/9), 2B Roger Bajon (.300/2/8/17) and C Giles Gilliam (.339/2/10/11)... Oxford has two standout hurlers in Rudy Mellancamp (4-0/1.80), who was last year's Tycobbian MVP and Golden Arm winner with a remarkable 27-3 record and 1.97 ERA... and Lou Ellison (4-1/1.84)... Hartwig has absolutely no one else on the staff that he can rely on... the Red Caps are desperate for good pitchers... might be a good idea to trade some of their bats for pitching... Oxford's history shows one Pro Cup, won in 2007... they have made the postseason only 7 times, but have won the TU North the past two seasons and should have a good shot at it this season.

The Mahaska Haymakers (13-11) were seventh last year in the Tycobbian North Division and picked fifth in the preseason polls... manager Travis Tuttle played 11 years with club batting .308 with 273 homers and 875 RBIs... he was a 4-time All-Star outfielder... his Haymakers have average hitting (.267 BA/16th) and pitching (4.08 ERA/15th), but can go deep (27 HR/5th-tied) and score some runs (124 R/8th)... Mahaska's top guns are RF Dub Forester (.293 BA/5 HR/23 RBI/16 R/3 SB), LF Will Parkerson (.404/4/12/14) and LF Marty Jackson (.340/4/11/8)... on the hill it's been Morrie Dalman (3-1/1.37) and Pip Cordice (2-3/3.06)... the pitching corps will have to step it up for the Haymakers to make a lot of hay this year... Mahaska has rarely made the IPA playoffs... only 4 times in its history... last pennant came years ago in 2028... never won a Pro Cup crown.

The White River Rascals (12-12) under manager Marty Blake are the favorites to knock off Oxford this season... the Rascals won the TU North flag four times in a row '48 to '51... and they came close in '53, coming in a close third... and were runner-up last season, but finishing a distant 11 games behind champion Oxford... Blake seems to have put together a strong pitching staff like he had a few years ago, but he doesn't have the same offensive firepower... the Rascals are batting only .241 (27th) with 96 runs (26th) and only 14 HR (27th)... but mound corps has been outstanding with a 2.91 ERA (3rd)... his four starters are formidable: Artie Wynyard (1-0/1.80), Keil Trickett (3-1/2.03), Nicky Palmer (3-4/2.90) and Glen Horton (1-3/2.87)... all they need is a few runs and they can win... so far the offensive output has been poor... Blake's best bats are 1B Roy Hart (.303 BA/5 HR/12 RBI/6 R), CF Jed Small (.321/2/11/11/2 SB) and C Yancy Carlton (.275/1/10/5)... White River has appeared 8 times in the postseason playoffs... they have never won a Pro Cup, but came close twice, losing to Valmara in the Finals in '49 and '50... in '51 they lost in the Tycobbian title game to IPA champion Arlon... the experts are predicting that the winner of the Tycobbian North this year will come down to White River and Oxford... no one else seems to be in the race.

The Hartsdale Hellcats (10-14) are sixth after one month of play... manager Wayne Dawson has a pretty good offense with a .262 BA (19th), 20 HR (18th-tied) and 119 runs (11th), but almost no pitching (4.84 ERA/24th)... his most productive hitters are 1B Bruno Bardella (.283 BA/6 HR/20 RBI/14 R), RF Rico Visaggi (.310/3/15/15) and SS Jan Krystosek (.339/1/10/6/3 SB), along with 3B Smokey Nix (.266/1/8/17/4SB) and LF Jules Randolph (.309/1/6/13/2 SB)... the Hellcats do have two solid pitchers in starter Perry Givens (3-2/3.07) and reliever Roy Krieger (1-0/1.30/3 saves/13 G), but little else... last year Hartsdale (65-89) wound up in the TU North cellar (26 GB)... looks like a second-division finish again this year... it's been six seasons since the Hellcats won the pennant... that was in '46 and '47... they won their only Pro Cup trophy in 2046... and lost to IPA champion Southport in the 2047 Tycobbian title series... Hartsdale has made 9 appearances in the playoffs.

The Fairfax Frogs (8-16) are off to a poor start and tied for the Tycobbian North basement with the Blue Lake Blue Sox... skipper Scott Courtney (.308 BA/289 HR/1159 RBI) is both catcher and player-manager for the Frogs... he has a double whammy: terrible pitching and not a lot of offense... the team ERA is 5.25 (30th) and the team has scored on 87 runs (30th)... no surprise the Frogs are croaking this year in a negative way... Courtney's best starters are just ordinary: Jay Jay Dillaway (3-3/3.68) and Lenny Burdick (3-2/4.50)... there is nothing at all in the bullpen... and not a lot at the plate... LF Paddy Fenroy (.333 BA/1 HR/9 RBI/7 R/3 SB) and RF Downtown Wyatt (.296/1/7/8/2 SB) are his best contact hitters, while his most productive is CF Kaz Ozaki (.247/3/14/13/5 SB) and Courtney himself (.280/2/7/7)... Fairfax has made the postseason 8 times in its history... never won a Pro Cup, nor come close to winning one... the last pennants came in '32 and '33... the outlook is not too good for '54 either.

The Blue Lake Blue Sox (8-16) are last in the TU North and headed nowhere... manager Frankie Quinn is a Hall of Famer pitcher with the most wins ever in IPA history with a 391-297 record and a 3.04 ERA... he will be officially inducted at the All-Star Game this season... Quinn has yet to work his mound magic as a manager yet... the Blue Sox staff has posted a miserable 4.89 team ERA this season... and the offense is also just mediocre... they are hitting just .258 (22nd-tied) with 22 homers (15th-tied) and scored 100 runs (23rd)... no wonder Blue Lake is in last place... they were picked for last place, along with Fairfax in the preseason polls... and that looks like the outcome... both clubs could battle it out for the basement this year... Blue Lake has had very little success in the IPA... they have only made the playoffs 3 times, but lo and behold, the Blue Sox did win the Pro Cup when they pulled a major upset and won it in 2030, beating the powerful Valmara Vipers in 7 games... sadly that was the club's last pennant year, too... Quinn's best starter is Weldon Nettleton (1-1/3.02)... the rest of them have 5.00 ERAs or worse... same way in the bullpen... Blue Lake has a few quality hitters in C Juan Luis Barcelona (.348 BA/2 HR/9 RBI/18 R), CF Johnny Harding (.345/3/17/8), 2B Perry Wilkins (.344/2/7/6) and 1B Ty Blake (.303/0/8/11/2 SB)... two regulars don't hit much for average, but they are productive bats with power: RF Burl Baugh (.246/7/15/11) and 3B Jim Makin (.247/4/14/12).