Islandian Pro Alliance

Tuesday, July 31, 2001

Tycobbian Union - West Division

Champs Top Frogs on Keller's HR in 10th
Arlon got a walk-off homer from center fielder Jerry Keller in the tenth to top first place Fairfax 5-4. Keller (.300) had two hits and two RBIs to pace the Champs with third baseman Bubba Tate (.327) adding two more RBIs. Jeff Nieman (8-7 1.61) worked the last two and two-thirds innings for the win in relief of starter Connie Gavagan (2-3 1.32). Gavagan went seven and one-third innings, was tapped for ten hits and four runs with seven Ks and a walk. Only one of the runs were earned. The losing pitcher was Jim DiGregorio (2-3 4.46). He tossed one and one-third innings and surrendered Keller home run. Jackie Leslie started for the Frogs, went eight innings, allowed four runs and seven hits with five strikeouts and four bases on balls. Fairfax had 11 hits with first baseman Ernie Hutchinson (.260) going 3-for-5 and left fielder Gator Davis (.272) 2-for-4.

The Fairfax Frogs (59-45) have in recent weeks gone from an unbeatable ballclub with a double-digit lead in the TU West to just a good ballclub. Manager Harry Buckley's hitting and pitching have both gone into a slump. The Frogs have a 7.5-game bulge over the third place Champions (52-53).

Bayview Gains On Fairfax, Beats Blue Sox 6-3
Second place Bayview shaved another game off Fairfax's lead in the TU West flag race by beating Blue Lake 6-3 at Downtown Plaza Stadium. The Vikings plastered 13 hits and were led by left fielder Glenn Burns (.303) with four hits, two runs scored and an RBI, first baseman Dwayne Coleman with three hits and an RBI and shortstop Skip Daniels (.235) with two runs batted in. 23-year-old Tony Vardaman (3-0 1.98) labored at times by giving up ten hits, but came away with the victory. He went the route, gave up only two earned runs, fanned six and issued no walks. Center fielder Donnie Frazier (.301) was all of the Blue Sox offense with three hits and three RBIs, including his 18th homer. Mickey Dwyer (2-3 3.21) was the loser, permitting five runs in six-plus innings. Bayview broke up a 3-3 tie with two runs in the seventh when Dwyer walked in a run and gave up another one on a failed double play attempt.

Bayview (56-51) is now back within striking distance of first place Fairfield (59-45). The second place Vikings are 4.5 games off the pace. Blue Lake (51-54) has fallen in the last three games and now stands 8.5 games out.

Bucs Blast Past Lynx 9-8
It was a barnburner at La Claire's Capitol Park Stadium and when the smoke cleared the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers just barely held on to beat the Lynx 9-8 in a hitfest. The Bucs, the best-hitting team in the TU West, unloaded 18 hits in the game, while La Claire socked 15. Bay St. Clair busted up a 5-5 deadlock with a four-run explosion in the top of the eighth to take a 9-5 lead, but almost couldn't hold it as the Lynx fought back with three in the bottom of the inning. Leading the Buc attack were third baseman Ed Albrecht (.259), catcher Jake Singleton (.317) and right fielder Stan Denton (.235), all with three hits apiece. Albrecht drove in three runs. Four other Buccaneers had two hits each. But it almost wasn't enough. La Claire left fielder Rich Hart (.263) was 4-for-5 with two RBIs, shortstop Dirk Lindahl (.277) was 3-for-5 with two RBIs and first baseman Francisco Robles (.293) was also 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Lindahl had the only home run in the game. It was number 8 for him this season. Hal Meissner (3-2 4.43) logged the win, despite giving up eight runs in seven-plus innings. Chris Van Arden (4-2 2.13) came in and finally finished off La Claire and recorded his 7th save. Van Arden allowed a two-out single in the ninth, but retired the next batter to end the slugfest.

La Claire (50-56) is fifth in the division, 10 games in back of first place Fairfax (59-45), while Bay St. Clair (48-57) is in the basement and 11.5 games behind the leader.

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, August 1, 2001

Islandian Pro Alliance Announces July Winners

Cole Takes Best Bat Award in July
It was a successful month for Dennis Cole of Colfax. He won the Ruthlandian Union Best Batter Trophy for July. First baseman Cole batted .394 average, hit 12 home runs, drove in 35 runs, scored 27 times and compiled a .536 on-base percentage.

This season in 102 games, Cole has hit at a .336 clip with 118 hits, 31 home runs, 97 RBIs and 87 runs scored.

Holliday Wins TU Batter of the Month
Only one person can take home the Tycobbian Union Batter of the Month trophy for July and that person is Glenn Holliday. During the month the South Fork third baseman collected 41 hits in 110 at-bats. Holliday put up a .373 average, hit 10 home runs, drove in 27 and scored 24 runs.

This year Holliday has hit at a .290 clip with 105 hits, 23 home runs, 58 RBIs and 61 runs scored.

July's Best Starter Named in RU
When Ron Benson takes the mound, a Sugar Valley victory is usually the result. At least that's the way it was in July. He excelled with a 5-1 mark and a 2.33 ERA in 8 starts, tossed 65.2 innings, fanned 43 and held opposing batters to a .218 average. That's why the Rattlers starter was honored today as the Pitcher of the Month by the Ruthlandian Union.

In 26 starts this season Benson has compiled a 16-7 record and a 2.59 ERA.

Gross - July's #1 Starter
Norm Gross was firing on all cylinders in the month of July with 6 wins as he steamrolled all Tycobbian Union opposition on his way to the Pitcher of the Month award. During the month Gross was 6-0 with a 2.53 ERA. He made 7 starts, tossed 57 innings and had 29 strikeouts.

To date in 2001, Gross sports a 13-7 mark with a 3.35 ERA in 25 starting assignments. He has held the opposition to a .275 batting average and has 99 strikeouts in 180 innings.

RU Names Gravelli Top Rookie
In July, Phil Gravelli knocked Ruthlandian Union pitchers all over the ballpark all month long and put up numbers good enough to be voted the Rookie of the Month. Last month the 17-year-old Belair Beach first baseman played in 32 games and hit .390 with 12 doubles, no triples and 10 home runs. Gravelli also scored 27 times and drove in 32 runs.

Gravelli has a .348 average and a .363 on-base percentage for the year. He has picked up 104 hits, 23 home runs and driven in 66 runs.

Lucky Collins Triumphs in TU Rookie Vote
Lucky Collins of the La Claire Lynx just ended a sensational month, but it didn't end there. He topped it off with the Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Month award. The talented center fielder took the honor in July by hitting .394 in 32 games, racking up 50 hits, 3 home runs, 14 RBIs and 17 runs scored.

Collins currently has a .321 batting average with 134 hits, 4 homers, 28 RBIs, 58 runs scored and a .375 OBP.

Islandian Pro Alliance

Wednesday, August 1, 2001

Ruthlandian Union - North Division

Blasters Outgun Vipers 10-8
Colfax took a roller coaster ride in the game against Valmara. The Blasters led 4-1, fell behind 6-4, then regained it with a vengence and put the Vipers away 10-8. They were outhid 15 to 11, but not outscored. Right fielder Blinky Brandon (.315) went 3-for-4, scored three times and batted in two to lead the way to victory. Brandon collected his 7th homer of the year. Second baseman Tucker Hill (.330) and third baseman Russ Farrell (.285) both chipped in with two hits apiece. Flash Guidry (12-10 3.24) won "ugly" -- he got the win, but gave up eight runs on fourteen hits in eight-plus innings. Jasper LaForge 0-0 0.00) got the final two outs for his third save. Losing pitcher Val Kucharski (1-2 9.82) came on in the fifth with a 6-4 lead and promptly gave it away. He was tagged for six runs in less than two innings. The Vipers were paced by right fielder Jet Kazmarek (.318), second baseman Floyd Vinson (.307) and pinchhitter Frank Francois (.188), each with two RBIs.

Colfax has the best record in the RU North with a 57-49 mark, a half-game up on second place Far Mountain (57-50). Valmara (53-52) is now tied for third place with Volusia (54-53). Both ballclubs are 3.5 games behind.

Dietz Hits 2 HR, Redhawks Power by A's 6-3
Far Mountain's recent trade that brought Karl Dietz to the club has already paid dividends. Manager Alex Groveland needed a power-hitting outfielder and seems to have found one. Dietz (.258) hit a pair of roundtrippers, number 19 and 20, and drove in five runs to almost single-handedly beat Glasco 6-3. That gave him three homers in three games so far. Another newcomer on the Redhawk roster, Bud Ford (1-1 3.91), won his first game. He worked seven and one-third innings, allowed three runs and eight hits with only two of them earned. Closer Mike McCabe (4-3 2.53) claimed his 4th save by retiring the final five batters in order. Helping Dietz offensively was third baseman Johnny Strickland (.292) with two hits and three runs scored. Glasco's top batter was first baseman Maury Smith (.362) with 3-for-4 and two RBIs. Jerry Smith (12-12) took the loss for the Athletics. He gave up four runs in five innings.

Second place Far Mountain (57-50) is still clinging close to the RU North leader, Colfax (57-49). The Redhawks are just a half-game back of them. Glasco (50-55) is in fifth place in the standings and trails by 5.5 games.

Vigilantes Win Slugfest with Elnora 12-11
At State Fair Park in Elnora, the hitters punished the pitchers with 7 home runs, three triples, four doubles, 30 hits and 23 total runs in Volusia's 12-11 slugfest victory over the All-Stars. The V's were led by first baseman Alejandro Salazar (.291) with two hits and four RBIs, and left fielder Winky Rush (.299, who hit a ninth-inning homer to win the game. Rush had a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate. He scored four times and drove in two runs. Right fielder Jesus Arroyo (.278) and catcher Armando Villa (.333) each also batted in a pair of runs. Rush (10), Arroyo (7) and Salazar (14) all homered. Both ballclubs collected 15 hits apiece. Elnora cracked four out of the park and were led by left fielder Quincy Peterson (.292) and third baseman Richie Franklin (.260) with 3 RBIs and a homer each. Second baseman Gil Foster (.360) and right fielder Paul Giles (.276) also homered and batted in two runs apiece. Giles numbers 23 home runs this season, Peterson 20, Foster 16 and Franklin 5. Hank Massey (3-8 5.27) picked up the win by not allowing a run in his one and two-thirds innings and John Tinker (3-9 4.43) suffered the defeat. He gave up one run in one and two-thirds innings, Rush's game-winning roundtripper.

Volusia tied the IPA record with three triples. Rush, Salazar and shortstop Scooter Perez (.373) each hit a three-bagger. Belair Beach hit three against Waleska on May 4 and Glasco had three against Valmara on June 2.

The win moved Volusia (54-53) into a third-place tie with Valmara (53-52), both are 3.5 games behind the RU North's top club, the Colfax Blasters (57-49). Elnora (47-59) is 10 games off the pace and in the division basement.

Islandian Pro Alliance

Wednesday, August 1, 2001

Ruthlandian Union - South Division

'Jacks Come Back and Nip Marston 7-6
It's not often a team comes back from a 6-run deficit, but the second place Forest City Lumberjacks did. They trailed the first place Marston Nine 6-0 in the third and then scored 7 unanswered runs for a 7-6 triumph. The winning score came in the last of the ninth when center fielder Ryan Morse (.350) and shortstop Pops Keller (.297) hammered back-to-back two-baggers off Walt Sellers to end the game. Sellers (4-6 3.00) had just entered the game and took the loss. The 'Jacks smacked a dozen hits and were paced by Morse and Keller with two RBIs each. Morse went 3-for-5 with two doubles and Keller was 2-for-5. Big 6'6" knuckleballer Knucks Nomellini (3-0 1.08) notched the win, holding Marston scoreless the last four innings and striking out five. Second baseman Ken Green (.333) led the Nine with three hits and two runs batted in. Green hit his 11th homer of the year. Center fielder Tommy Reinhold (.313) also collect three hits. Shoddy defense hurt the Marston cause. Six of the 'Jacks runs came on errors and were unearned.

The Forest City Lumberjacks (57-50) chopped Marston's (59-46) lead to 3 games in the race for the RU South flag.

Rattlers Benson Wins #17, Beats Sunbirds 9-2
He was the Pitcher of the Month in July and Ron Benson of Sugar Valley has also started August off very well, too. Benson won his 17th game, tops in the IPA, with another good outing. Benson (17-7 2.57) held Belair Beach to two runs and seven hits, struck out six and walked just two in his 14th complete game of the year, also tied for the most in the IPA with Luther Hatch of Ozarka. He was backed up by 13 hits, led by center fielder Freddie Vaux (.349), who hit for the cycle with 4-5, three RBIs and two runs scored. Left fielder Bruno DiPirro (.308) hit his first career homer and went 3-5, scoring twice and batting in three runs. Vaux also unloaded a home run, number 7 on the season. Ray Watson (5-3 3.45) suffered the setback, departing in the sixth trailing 5-0. Watson surrendered five runs and eight hits, only three were earned.

Sugar Valley (53-51) is third in the RU South Division and 5.5 games off the pace, while Belair Beach (49-57) is now tied for the cellar with Waleska (49-57), both are 10.5 games behind in the race.

Diamonds Take Over 4th, Whip Westerners 6-3
Alex Vanzetti kept Claxton out of the cellar by defeating Waleska 6-3 today. Vanzetti (8-4 2.77) went seven and a third innings, struck out ten and checked the Westerners on six hits and three runs. Skipper Stacy Engel's new closer Mike Grenier (0-0 9.00) logged his first-career save, putting out the fire in the eighth inning when Grenier weakened and pitched a scoreless ninth. Vanzetti got plenty of bat support as the Diamonds racked up 13 hits, led by left fielder Dan Molnar (.348), who had three hits and two RBIs, including his 13th roundtripper. Shortstop Bobby Ritter (.309) also added a pair of hits and a pair of RBIs. Rusty Kraft (7-13 4.08) suffered the setback as he was tagged for five runs and ten hits in eight innings.

It was the third game in a row Claxton (50-56) has beaten Waleska (49-57). The triumph moved the Diamonds up to fourth in the RU South standings, 9.5 games behind Marston (59-46). The Westerners, meanwhile, are in a tie with the Belair Beach Sunbirds (49-57) for last place, 10.5 games back.

Islandian Pro Alliance

Wednesday, August 1, 2001

Tycobbian Union - East Division

Ojima HR Wins It for Ninjas, Defeat SF 4-2
The first place Ginza Ninjas got rid of tough Ken Conner with a three-run blast of the bat from third baseman Kaz Ojima (.319) in the sixth inning to send them up 4-1 on the way to a 4-2 decision over the second place South Fork Stallions. Righthander Vic Rousakis (12-11 3.69) won his third in a row, striking out 10 batters, walking only one, and holding the Stallions to two runs on seven hits. It was his 13th complete game this season, second-best in the IPA. Left fielder Takashi Fujimoto (.278) drove in the other run in the first frame with a sac fly to score shortstop Shinjiro Aoki (.284), who scored twice and had two hits. South Fork's only runs came off solo roundtrippers by right fielder Art Atkins (.311) in the third inning, his 9th, and by pinchhitter Glenn Holliday (.292) in the ninth, his 24th. Conner (9-6 2.93) pitched well except for the game-winning gopher ball. He worked seven innings, permitted five hits and four runs, three earned.

So far, Ginza (61-44) has taken two of the three games from South Fork (58-49) and has increased its lead to 4 games in the Tycobbian Union East.

Hyder Hurls Nats to 4-2 Victory Over Hurricanes
Fourth place Ozarka got the best of third place Cape Coral 4-2 on the strength 18-year-old righthander Sid Hyder's four-hitter. Hyder whipped third strikes past ten Hurricanes, while walking two. Only one of the two runs he gave up was earned. Both of Hyder's walks came in the ninth. Just to be on the safe side manager Joe Mac Carney summoned his splendid bullpen artisan, Alex DiMaggio (8-4 1.13) to get the last two outs. He did -- struck them both out to nail down his 12th save and gave Hyder the win. Ozarka collected 9 hits and were sparked by catcher Scotty Fisher (.266) with 3-3 and a homer. Second baseman Duane Starr (.275) and left fielder Ronnie Patterson (.237) doubled in runs in the fifth inning, along with right fielder Gus Dufrene (.000), who had a sacrifice fly. That put Ozarka up 4-0 and got rid of Katsuyuki Nagashima (10-9 3.09), who surrendered four runs on seven hits in his five frames for the loss.

Third place Cape Coral (53-53) fell to 8.5 games out of first in the standings, while Ozarka (51-54) is fourth and 10 games out.

3 HR Lift Zorros Over Hellcats 8-6
Home runs brought home the victory for the hometown Luxora Zorros at De la Vega Stadium. The Z's socked three of them into the stands to knock off Hartsdale 8-6. Luxora had to rally several times in the back-and-forth battle. The Zorros trailed 3-0 after three, took a 4-3 lead in the fifth, lost it again 6-4 in the sixth, then tied it up 6-6 in the sixth and won it 8-6 with a pair of runs in the seventh. First baseman Paul Hallenbeck (.317) clouted two homers to drive in four runs and right fielder Lacey Tompkins (.299) drove in two runs with his first IPA home run. Hallenbeck's 17th was the game-winner in the seventh. Starter Keith Callahan (12-8 3.34) was the winner, though he struggled. He was hit hard for six runs and eleven hits in seven innings of work. Ricky Martinez (9-3 1.92) saved it for Callahan with a scoreless eighth and ninth. It was Martinez's fourth save of the year. The Hellcats outdid the Zorros with the bats 12 hits to 10. They were headed by left fielder Mel Poe (.251), who hit a 3-run homer, number 11 for him. Four 'Cats had two hits apiece: center fielder Greg Reynolds (.274), right fielder Dan Rogers (.299), newcomer first baseman Mac Faulkner (.500) and shortstop Mike Burke (.267). Starting pitcher Mitch Yassen (3-3 4.25) had a tough go of it, being shelled for eight runs in seven innings. He picked up the loss.

The Luxora Zorros (48-57) are in the first spot in the Tycobbian Union East Division and are 13 games out in the race. Hartsdale (46-60) are last and 15.5 games behind.

Islandian Pro Alliance

Wednesday, August 1, 2001

Tycobbian Union - West Division

Arlon Outlasts Fairfax 9-8
Trailing 7-5 going into the last of the seventh third place Arlon rebounded in the late innings for a 9-8 triumph over first place Fairfax at Derby Downs. The Champs battered Frog pitching for 15 hits. Leading the way was third baseman Bubba Tate (.338) with four hits and three RBIs, including homer number 7. Left fielder Matt Merrill (.307) had two hits and two runs batted in for the winners. In the decisive eighth, pinchhitter Ian Carmack (.231) tripled and pinchhitter Kelly Fox singled to tie the score at 7-all, right fielder Andy Pettorini (.333) sent them ahead 8-7 with a sacrifice fly and Tate added an insurance run with a single. Turned out that was the winning run. Burnell Bradford (1-0 1.86) got his first career victory in the IPA with three hitless innings. Rod Kelley (6-2 3.78) got his fourth save, but almost blew it by giving up a ninth-inning run on two hits and a walk. With the tying run on third, he fanned the very dangerous cleanup man, Gregg Vincent (.324). Left fielder Gator Davis (.273) put the Frogs ahead in the game with a three-run roundtripper in the fifth, third baseman Stan Cobb (.323) delivered three hits and two RBIs and second baseman Cecil Parmenter (.314) belted at two-run shot. Losing pitcher Jimmy Dalton (8-8 4.71) blew the save, giving up four runs in the seventh and eighth innings.

Fairfax (59-46) has a 6.5-game bulge over the third place Arlon Champions (53-53).

Vikings Win 3rd Straight from Blue Sox 3-2
Bayview got excellent performances from the tandem of Frank Wells and Buzzy Lewis to edge past Blue Lake 3-2 today for its third win in a row. Wells (9-8 3.95) went seven innings and held the Blue Sox to two runs on nine hits, then turned it over to relief ace Lewis, who retired all six batters he faced in order in the last two innings. Lewis was the winner when right fielder Dean Howell smashed a game-winning homer in the last of the eighth off loser Bennie West (12-10 2.92). West lost another good effort, giving up three runs and seven hits in going the distance. He fanned five and issued three bases on balls. Blue Lake drew first blood in the top of the fourth, when third baseman Timmy Smith (.316) drove in the first run with a single. Viking first sacker Dwayne Coleman (.289) knotted it up with his 31st homer of the season in the last of the fourth. Smith put the Blue Sox back in front again 2-1 with an RBI double in the top of the sixth. Bayview retaliated and evened it up again on leff fielder Glenn Burns' (.303) double in the bottom half of the frame. Blue Lake had the advantage in hits 9 to 7. Topping the Viks with two hits apiece were Howell and Coleman, while center fielder Donnie Frazier (.305) was 3-for-4 and scored twice for the Blue Sox.

In the Tycobbian Union West, runner-up Bayview (57-51) is 3.5 games in back of the top club, the Fairfax Frogs (59-46). Blue Lake (51-55) has dropped its last four games and fallen 8.5 games off the pace and is in fourth place.

Buccaneers Slip by La Claire 3-1, McFalls Winner
Righthander Duncan McFalls gave manager Guy Rondre a strong effort in Bay St. Clair's 3-1 victory over La Claire today at Capitol Park Stadium. McFalls (8-3 3.06) allowed only one run and seven hits in his seven innings for the win. Gary Robinson (6-9 4.34) protected the lead with a scoreless eighth and ninth innings. It was his first career save. The Bucs totaled 9 hits in the game and were led by right fielder Jose Valenzuela (.285) with two hits and an RBI and first baseman George Lyons (.264) with an RBI single. Lynx right fielder Antonio Guerrero (.301) doubled in their only score in the third for an early lead in the game. The Buccaneers finally got on the scoreboard with two in the seventh and one in the eighth.

Manager Rip Calkin's La Claire Lynx (50-57) are in the fifth spot in the TU West and trail the Fairfax Frogs (59-46) by 10 games. Bay St. Claire (49-57) is last in the division and is 10.5 games back.

Islandian Pro Alliance

Thursday, August 2, 2001

Ruthlandian Union - North Division

Colfax Takes 3rd Straight, Beats Valmara 4-1
He may be the oldest player in the IPA, but 39-year-old Colfax southpaw Robbie Smith showed he can still pitch with a 4-1 victory over Valmara. Smith (8-7 3.01) doesn't throw hard, but allowed only one run on eight hits in eight innings, struck out three and walked three as he fashioned the first place Blasters third straight victory over the fourth place Vipers. Closer Vic Jankovich 3-0 1.52) saved it for him with a scoreless ninth. It was Jankovich's 4th save. Colfax tagged Valmara pitchers for 13 hits, including homers by first baseman Dennis Cole (.340) and shortstop Wayne O'Reilly (.245). Cole has 32 for the year and O'Reilly 13. They both had three hits apiece and O'Reilly scored three times. Vance Mitchell (6-5 4.02) was the losing pitcher despite 11 strikeouts. He allowed all four runs in eight and two-thirds innings. The Vipers had nine hits in defeat.

The Blasters (58-49) stretched their thin lead to 1.5 games over the second place Far Mountain Redhawks (57-51). Colfax has beaten Valmara three straight times and dropped the Vipers 4.5 games back. Valmara (53-53) is tied with Volusia (54-54) for third place in the RU North race.

A's Beauvais 2-Run HR Trims Redhawks in 11 Innings
Home run power got the Glasco Athletics back in the game and then won it in extra innings. Trailing 7-4 going into the bottom of the eighth, the A's Lee McDougall (.267) slammed a 3-run pinchhit homer to tie the game at 7-7 and sent it into overtime, then in the 11th left fielder Ox Beauvais (.324) pounded a two-run salvo that whipped the Far Mountain Redhawks 9-7. Closer Ray Cook (4-4 1.85) registered the victory by blanking the Redhawks over the last two and two-thirds innings. Pat Brown (1-4 3.32) lost it in relief for Far Mountain, allowing two runs in two-plus innings. Glasco got 14 hits in all and were led by center fielder Chet Reynolds (.291) with four hits and two runs scored and by second baseman Barry McCord (.300) with three hits and two runs. Right fielder Sid Cameron (.452) pace the Redhawks with 2-for-3, scored twice and batted in one run.

With the defeat second place Far Mountain (57-51) is now 1.5 games behind first place Colfax (58-49), while Glasco (51-55) is fifth and 6.5 games out.

All-Stars Hang On for 6-5 Win Over Vigilantes
In Elnora at State Fair Park, the All-Stars took a 6-2 lead into the top of the eighth and then had to hold on as the Volusia Vigilantes started hitting the ball out of the park with back-to-back homers. But the V's came up short and went down to defeat 6-5. Pat Savoie (8-3 3.38) got credit for the win in spite of giving up three homers. Volusia got to him for eight hits and four runs. Savoie fanned eight and walked one. In the ninth reliever Ken Kerr (0-0 0.00) put down the V's in order to get his first save. Elnora socked 14 hits in all and were sparked by homers by first baseman Paul Kesler (.310) and left fielder Quincy Peterson (.294). Kesler and third baseman Richie Franklin (.266) had three hits each, and Peterson and center fielder Rusty Gilbert (.258) had a pair of hits apiece. Kesler, Peterson and Gilbert all had 2 RBIs each. Volusia had three solo homers by left fielder Winky Rush (.298), first baseman Alejandro Salazar (.290) and second baseman Francisco Abreu (.276). Catcher Jojo Nunez (.276) topped the Vigilantes with two runs batted in. Losing pitcher Raul Sandoval (11-12) only lasted into the sixth and surrendered five runs and 11 hits.

Volusia (54-54) is tied for third in the Ruthlandian Union North Division and is 4.5 games off the pace. Elnora (48-59) is in the basement and 10 games off the pace.

Islandian Pro Alliance

Thursday, August 2, 2001

Ruthlandian Union - South Division

'Jacks Sack Marston 8-1, Win 3rd In a Row
The first three games of this important head-to-head battle in the RU South race were decided by one run, but not his time. Second place Forest City demolished first place Marston 8-1 behind the sharp pitching of Herm Bahr (12-6 3.25) and dealt the Nine its third loss in a row. The 25-year-old portsider limited Marston to just one run and four hits, finishing up with two walks and four Ks. The Lumberjacks belted 12 hits and were paced by left fielder Chuck Hill (.320), second baseman Jesse Pearson (.248) and third baseman Johnny Mack Butler (.252), all with two RBIs each. Hill hit his 25th roundtripper. Losing pitcher Paul Azard (9-7 4.10) was not match for the Lumberjack bats. He was ripped for eight runs and 12 hits in six-plus innings. He also issued five bases on balls in a very poor outing.

With today's shellacking Marston's (59-47) lead in the RU South has dipped to just 2 games over Forest City (58-50). The Lumberjacks have taken three of the four games so far in the series.

Rattlers Sink Sunbirds 5-2, Lamoreaux Winner
The Sugar Valley Rattlers just traded for pitcher Stan Lamoreaux and it paid off in his first start. He pitched an outstanding game, limiting Belair Beach to just four base hits, fanning seven and walking two in a 5-2 victory. Lamoreaux needed a little help in the ninth from closer Gregg Neal (9-5 1.94), who racked up his 15th save by retiring all three batters he faced. Shortstop Flipper Bird (.286) led the way offensively with his 12th homer of the season. The Rattlers only got seven hits in the game. Tiny Lindgren (2-2 3.81) suffered the loss. He went eight innings, gave up five hits and four runs with six strikeouts. Home runs accounted for both Sunbird scores. Center fielder Bobby Joe Morris (.325) hit number 3 and catcher Denny Everhart (.231) unloaded number 13.

Sugar Valley (54-51) is in the third spot in the standings, 4.5 games behind the leader. Belair Beach (49-58) is in last place, 10.5 games back. The Sunbirds are tied for last place in the Ruthlandian Union South.

Claxton Claims 4th Win in a Row
Howie Peterson provided the hitting and Sid Melton provided the pitching. Together they propelled Claxton to a tight 3-2 triumph over Waleska at Westerner Field. Catcher Peterson (.251) drove in all three runs with a home run and a double and Melton (3-2 3.57) went eight innings and permitted only two runs on nine hits, while walking none and striking out two. Mike Grenier (0-0 6.00) came on after two runs had scored in the ninth and stamped out the uprising by getting the last three outs with no more damage. It was save number two for Grenier. Westerner starter Gary Hill (10-8 4.13) did a fine job, going eight innings, allowed just two runs and six hits with 8 Ks and just one walk, but still got the loss. Left fielder Big Hoss Burkhalter (.308) and first baseman Freddie Shelton (.289) drove in Waleska's runs.

The third place Diamonds (51-56) are 8.5 games in back of the first place Marston Nine (59-47), while Waleska (49-58) is tied with Belair Beach for last, 10.5 games behind. The Westerners have been beaten in the last four games.

Islandian Pro Alliance

Thursday, August 2, 2001

Tybobbian Union - East Division

SF's Bernini Fires 4-Hitter, Blanks Ninjas 6-0
Runnerup South Fork rolled over first place Ginza 6-0 at Ninja Stadium to gain a split in the series. Each team has won two games so far with game five tomorrow. Only three games separate the two TU East contenders. Vince Bernini (6-3 2.10) continued his standout pitching with a 4-hit shutout, his second of the season. He joined manager DeRoche "Lips" Leon's club in mid-June and has been a ball of fire ever since. The Ninjas managed only four singles against him. Right fielder Art Atkins (.314) topped the Stallions with 2 hits in 4 tries and drove in two runs with help from center fielder Ronnie Lee (.328), who scored three times and had three base hits. South Fork second baseman Rick Tsoukalis (.309) had the only home run in the game. Kazuhiro Nakayama (10-11) had a bad day on the hill and lost for the first time in his last five starts. He was smacked for six runs in seven innings.

Checking out his stats for the season, Bernini has notched 6 wins and 3 losses in 12 starts, 2.10 ERA and struck out 65 batters in 85 innings.

The Ginza Ninjas (61-45) still hold a 3-game edge over the Stallions (59-49) in the standings.

Nats Knock Off 'Canes 3rd Time in a Row, 7-5
The Ozarka Naturals knocked off the Cape Coral Hurricanes a third time in a row, thumping them 7-5 at Ellie Ewing Stadium. Reliever Donnie Young (5-8 4.37) came in and ended an eighth-inning threat with a double play with the bases loaded. He got his first career save with a perfect 1-2-3 ninth. Yasuyuki Nakagawa (11-12 3.39) got credit for the win in a rough outing. He was whacked for 12 hits and five runs in seven innings. He departed leading 7-4. Trailing 2-1 in the fifth, a 5-run outburst against loser Jeff Salow (4-4 2.77) put the the Nats over the top. Salow only gave up one earned run in his four-plus innings. Center fielder Terry Braun (.280) had two hits and three RBIs for Ozarka with third baseman Doug Cunningham (.258) driving in a pair and second baseman Duane Starr (.275) driving in one. Cape Coral banged 15 hits, but stranded 14 baserunners. Left fielder Rod Kelly (.303) led with two RBIs and two hits, including his 18th roundtripper. Third baseman Scoop Estes went 3-4 and scored twice.

Fourth place Ozarka (52-54) is only a half-game behind the third place Hurricanes (53-54). Cape Coral is 8.5 games back of the top team, Ginza, while the Naturals are 9 games off the pace.

Luxora Zaps Hellcats 9-6, Fortunato 4 RBIs
In a clash of also-rans, Tommy Fortunato had a big day at bat as Luxora zapped Hartsdale 9-6 today. Center fielder Fortunato had two doubles and four RBIs to spark the Zorros to victory. Luxora outhit the Hellcats 13 to 10 in the game and busted it open with a 3-run fourth and 3-run sixth to go up 9-3. Big Tito Tovares (2-5 2.85) staggered in with the win, allowing six runs in his seven-plus innings. Eddie Hoffman (0-2 4.02) closed it out for him and got his third save. Hoffmann got the last four outs for Tovares. Z's third baseman Rico Vina (.294) carded his 14th homer and drove in two runs for the winners and first baseman Paul Hallenbeck (.321) went 3-for-4. Shortstop Mike Burke (.272) had two hits and a three-run blast for Hartsdale. Starter Glenn Mann (7-15 4.07) lost his fifth consecutive game for Hartsdale.

Luxora (50-57) is fifth in the Tyrobbian Union East Division and 12 games behind Ginza (61-45). Hartsdale (46-61) is last and 15.5 games back.

Islandian Pro Alliance

Thursday, August 2, 2001

Tybobbian Union - West Division

Champions Clip Frogs 4-3 on Ray's 2-Run HR
For the fourth game in a row it was a one-run thriller and this may have been the best. Arlon was trailing 3-2 and down to its last out, when Brad Ray stepped to the plate with a runner on first. Ray came through with a two-run homer and the Champions rallied past first place Fairfax 4-3. Jeff Nieman (9-7 1.59) garnered the win with a scoreless ninth in relief of starter Ace Howe. The Frogs Bobby Ray Trent (3-4 2.98) suffered a heartbreaking defeat. He allowed four runs on eight hits, fanned six and issued no walks. Howe hurled eight innings and gave up three runs and eight hits. First baseman Ray led Arlon with two RBIs. Pinchhitter Kenny Michaud (.344) also homered for the Champs. Fairfax was paced by catcher Marv McCoy (.283) with 2-3 and two runs scored and left fielder Gator Davis, who drilled his 21st homer of the year. The Frogs had 9 hits, the Champs 8.

This was Arlon's (54-53) third win in a row over Fairfax (59-47), who no longer seems to be invincible. The Frogs still have a 5.5 games lead over the third place Champions.

Sox Orgeron Slams 3-Run Shot, Beats Viks 7-5
Game-winning homers have come in bunches lately in the IPA. The latest was a pinchhit 3-run roundtripper in the top of the ninth by Cy Orgeron of the Blue Lake Blue Sox to stun Bayview 7-5 at Downtown Plaza Stadium. That enabled Blue Lake to rally from a 5-2 deficit and break its four-game losing skid. It also put an end to the Vikings three-game winning streak. Up until the ninth Paul Hood has rung up 13 strikeouts, but then the walls came tumbling down. After a double and a single made it 5-3, skipper Walter Johanssen called on Buzzy Lewis from the bullpen. Lewis (5-7 3.53) got the first man out, but none of the next three. He took the loss. Reliever Happy McManus (2-1 2.84) got the win with a scoreless eighth. Closer Russ Courtney (5-3 2.17) notched his 13th save by getting the Vikings in order in the ninth. The Blue Sox also got a homer from right fielder Doyle Osborne (.326). Bayview best hitter was first baseman Dwayne Coleman (.294), who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, including his 32th home run. Coleman has driven in 96 runs and leads the Tycobbian Union in homers and RBIs.

Bayview (57-52) is in second place in the Tycobbian Union West race, just 3.5 games off the pace. Blue Lake (52-55) is fourth and 7.5 games back.

La Claire Lashes Buccaneers 6-2
The La Claire Lynx lashed Bay St. Clair 6-2 behind the strong pitching of George Gentry, a stock righthander. Gentry (4-2 2.31) lasted into the ninth, gave up only two runs and nine hits with four walks and 7 Ks. Monoto Kishata (5-9 3.65) got the last out of the game and his 11th save. La Claire collected 11 hits and was led by right fielder Antonio Guerrero (.316) with three hits, two runs and an RBI, including his 2nd home run. Catcher Ronald Lynn (.288) also went 3-for-4 and batted in two runs for the Lynx. Starter Jeremiah McDonald (1-4 2.84) logged the loss, yielding three runs, two earned, and eight hits in his six innings. He exited trailing 3-2.

La Claire (51-57) is next-to-last in the TU West standings and is 9 games behind. The Buccaneers (49-58) are in the cellar and 10.5 games out.

Islandian Pro Alliance

Friday, August 3, 2001

Ruthlandian Union - North Division

Vipers Snap Blasters Win Streak, Zalewski Winner
Valmara's ace came through for them and snapped first place Colfax's three-game winning streak with a 5-1 victory. The Vipers hard-throwing southpaw Zarek Zalewski (14-6 2.52) limited the hard-hitting Blasters to just four hits and one run in seven innings with nine strikeouts and a walk. Closer Danny Blauser (8-4 2.38) worked the last two frames, allowed no runs and fanned three to nail down the verdict. Valmara went ahead 2-1 in the second inning on a two-run single by shortstop Matt Mazurek (.281) and added three more in the seventh when Mazurek doubled and scored on a two-base throwing error, right fielder Jet Kazmarek's (.318) groundout scored a run and Jan Szymanski (.274) singled in the final run. Loser Harry Manning (12-10 3.84) worked seven innings, gave up nine hits and five runs, two of them unearned. Colfax left fielder Cy Bartz (.267) had two doubles and an RBI.

Colfax (58-50) is still on top of the Ruthlandian Union North standings. The Blasters took three of the five games with third place Valmara (54-53). The Vipers are now 3.5 games off the pace.

Glasco Bombards Redhawks 10-7
The Glasco A's took charge with a four-run fifth to bombard Far Mountain 10-7 at Athletics Field. That put the Athletics in front to stay 9-5. Glasco rapped out 14 hits and were led by second baseman Barry McCord (.300) and third baseman Zach Byorvik (.251) with three RBIs each. Left fielder Ox Beauvais (.331) drove in a pair and shortstop Kyle Ballentine (.289) and center fielder Chet Reynolds (.288) batted in a run apiece. Byorvik (10) and Ballentine (6) hit homers for the Athletics, while right fielder Buck Bucholtz (.358) went 3-5 and scored three times, Beauvais was a perfect 4-4 and Byorvik and catcher Nick O'Neill (.224) had two hits each. Pacing the Far Mountain 15-hit attack were first baseman Royce Benson (.312) with four hits, three runs and an RBI, shortstop Joey Cannizzaro (.323) with three hits and two runs scored and Johnny Strickland with two runs batted in. Benson hit his 7th homer of the season and also had a triple. Second baseman Steve Kaminski (.335) doubled and tripled, driving in one and scoring once. Winning pitcher Charles Darby (13-11 3.70) only lasted six and one-third innings and was ripped for seven runs. He finally yielded to Ray Cook (4-4 1.77), who sat down the Redhawks without a run in the last two and two-thirds innings, struck out four and allowed one hit for his 12th save. Starter Sonny Elliott (13-10 3.24) was knocked out after four-plus innings. He gave up nine runs and suffered the setback in his worst outing of the season.

Second place Far Mountain (57-52) is still just 1.5 games back of first place Colfax (58-50), while Glasco (52-55) is in fifth place and trails by 5.5 games.

All-Stars Shell Vigilantes 12-5
The big bats of Elnora made it easy for pitcher Carl Costas as the All-Stars shelled Volusia for 16 hits and three homers in the 12-5 massacre. A four-run first highlighted by Paul Kesler's grand slam got them started and they never looked back. First baseman Kesler (.308) sparked the All-Stars with 5 RBIs. Right fielder Paul Giles (.278) and left fielder Quincy Peterson (.301) hit their 24th and 22nd homers respectively and drove in two runs each. Peterson was 4-4 and also scored three times, while second baseman Gil Foster (.359) and catcher Todd Simons both went 3-5. Volusia second baseman Francisco Abreu (.279) slugged his 22nd roundtripper and first baseman Alejandro Salazar (.289) slammed his 16th. Costas (10-10) cruised to the win, hurled seven innings and allowed five runs. He got relief help from Thurl Sherman (0-0 3.00), who worked the last two innings and held the V's scoreless. The loss went to starter Brian King (1-4 3.32), who didn't last two innings and was blitzed for six runs.

The defeat dropped Volusia (54-55) to the fourth spot in the RU North race, 4.5 games back. Elnora (49-59) is 9 games behind Colfax (58-50) and is in last place.

Islandian Pro Alliance

Friday, August 3, 2001

Ruthlandian Union - South Division

Marston's Pace Halts FC's 3-Game Win Streak 5-1
The Marston Nine put an end to Forest City's 3-game winning streak on the strong right arm of Nick Page (15-9 2.84). He stopped the Lumberjacks 5-1 on five hits for his 15th victory, fanning seven, walking three and completing his 14th game of the season. The Nine were sparked by homers from third baseman Roland Thomas (.357), center fielder Tommy Reinhold (.308) and left fielder Ronnie Horn (.285). A three-run fifth frame snapped a 1-1 tie and sent Glenn Moore to defeat and to the showers. Moore (12-9 3.50) allowed four runs and seven hits and all three home runs. Marston collected 11 hits overall.

Second place Forest City (58-51) took three of the five-game series and narrowed the gap between them and first place Marston (60-47) to 3 games in the Ruthlandian Union South standings.

Vaux and Vargas Lead Rattler Romp Over BB 13-4
The Sugar Valley Rattlers rattled the boards for 18 hits and romped 13-4 over Belair Beach at Bayside Park to take four of the five games in the series. Center fielder Freddie Vaux (.352) and third baseman Jorge Vargas (.340) both went 3-for-6 and drove in four runs apiece in the runaway win. First base Ron Armstrong (.333) and left fielder Bruno DiPirro (.333) also cracked three hits. Vargas unloaded two roundtrippers, giving him 25 this year. Armstrong also homered, hitting his fourth. Harvey Hines (10-9 3.82) pitched a solid outing, holding the Sunbirds to seven hits and two runs in seven innings. Losing pitcher Ken Frey (7-11 4.49) left early in the game as he was slammed for eight runs in three-plus innings. Rick Sullivan (.277) went deep for the 4th time for Belair Beach.

Sugar Valley won its last four games with the Sunbirds. The Rattlers (55-51) are third in the division, 4.5 games off the pace with Belair Beach (49-59) last in the pennant chase, 11.5 games back.

Waleska's Burkhalter Nips Diamonds with HR 5-4
Big Hoss Burkhalter (.308) unleashed his 31st roundtripper and powered Waleska to a 5-4 victory over Claxton and put a halt to the Diamonds winning streak at four games. He hit a three-run shot in the fifth to spark a four-run inning. That pushed Burkhalter past the 100-RBI mark for the season. The Westerner left fielder is second to Valmara's Jan Szymanski, who leads the RU with 106. Shortstop Jinx Giarussa (.295) contributed three hits and two RBIs to the victory. Jack Wagner (7-3 3.73) picked up the win, but was in hot water much of the game. He gave up 14 hits and four runs in seven innings, but survived with the help of Andrei Marsiske (4-4 3.61), who blanked the Diamonds over the last two innings to register his 10th save. Second baseman Donny McCoy (.337) and first baseman Marty McCluskey (.308) headed the Claxton hit parade with three hits each. Johnny Szwak (11-6 3.86) sustained the loss, going the route, striking out nine, walking four and giving up eleven hits and five runs.

Claxton (51-57) is 9.5 games in back of the top club in the RU South, the Marston Nine (60-47), while Waleska (50-58) escaped the cellar with the win today. The Westerners are fifth in the division and 10.5 games out.

Islandian Pro Alliance

Friday, August 3, 2001

Tycobbian Union - East Division

Ninjas Sneak by Stallions 6-5
First place Ginza captured the rubbler game of the five-game series with a 6-5 victory over South Fork at Ninja Stadium. Right fielder Charlie Campbell's two-run homer in the sixth proved to be the game-winner. It was Campbell's 15th of the season. Starters Toshiharu Ito of Ginza and Ken Olson of South Fork both had rude beginnings. The Ninjas took a 4-3 lead after just one inning, but both hurlers settled down and went the distance, each giving up only two runs over the last eight innings. Ito (12-4 2.61) won it, permitting five runs on seven hits with five Ks and three walks, while Olson (12-9 2.70) allowed six runs on seven hits, fanned seven and walked two in defeat. Campbell (.291) drove in three runs in the game with a pair of hits. First baseman Kenshin Yamamoto also had two hits and batted in two runs. The Stallions were led by right fielder Art Atkins (.317) with two hits and two RBIs and third baseman Glenn Holliday (.291) with his 25th home run.

Ginza (62-45), the Tycobbian Union East Division leader, boosted its lead over second place South Fork (59-50) to 4 games.

'Canes Robinson Blanks Nats, Stops 3-Game Steak
Ozarka's three-game winning string came to an end today as Cape Coral's wily veteran southpaw Wally Robinson crafted his third shutout and struck out 10 in blanking the Naturals 8-0. The 37-year-old Robinson (14-7 3.00) ran his record to 14-7 with a five-hitter and took over the TU lead in strikeouts with 166. The Hurricanes hammered 15 hits, led by right fielder Danny Mullins (.271) with 3-5, a homer and two RBIs. Third baseman Spook Estes (.284) and center fielder James Middleton also had three hits each. Catcher Fats Dalton (.181) and first baseman Rodger Wooten (.289) drove in two runs apiece for Cape Coral.

Robinson in 2001 has fashioned a 14-7 mark, 3.00 ERA and thrown 209 innings in 27 starts. Opposing clubs are batting .238 against him.

Cape Coral (54-54) won only two of the five-game series, but held on to third place in the division. The Hurricanes are 8.5 games behind the Tycobbian Union East leader, the Ginza Ninjas (62-45). Ozarka (52-55) is fourth and stands 10 games back in the race.

Hellcats Rip Zorros 8-4
Two newcomers to Hartsdale manager Zim Donner's pitching staff combined to topple Luxora today 8-4 at De la Vega Stadium. Tom Wiley (2-0 3.15) was a winner in his first start for the Hellcats. He went seven innings, gave up four runs and nine hits, then gave way to Ike Moore (3-2 4.15), who put down an eighth-inning threat and got credit for his first save by retiring all six batters he faced in the final two innings. Hartsdale left fielder Mac Faulkner (.500) went 3-5 with three RBIs, right fielder Mel Poe (.253) was 2-4 with two RBIs and third baseman Whiz Weaver (.283) had a perfect day, going 3-3 and scoring three times. Johnny Montel (8-13) suffered the loss, allowing five runs in the first three innings, two of them unearned.

The fifth place Luxora Zorros (49-58) are 13 games behind first place Ginza (62-45), while Hartsdale (47-61) is last in the division, 15.5 games out.

Islandian Pro Alliance

Friday, August 3, 2001

Tycobbian Union - West Division

Champs Take 4 of 5 From First Place Frogs
It could be a three-way battle down the stretch for the playoff spots in the Tyrobbian West. Third place Arlon took the last four games of the series with first place Fairfax, winning the finale 6-4. That pulled the Champions within 4.5 games of the lead. Skipper Gary Louis got strong relief from Rob Kelley (7-2 3.63), who worked the final five frames and held the Frogs to one run and three hits. Kelley struck out four, walked one and picked up the victory, aided by a dozen hits by the Champs. Third sacker Bubba Tate (.336) had a three-run homer and batted in four runs to lead them. Tate smacked his 8th roundtripper in the decisive fifth, putting Arlon ahead to stay 6-4. The Frogs were held to seven hits. Fairfax right fielder Gregg Vincent (.322) went 2-for-4 and clouted his 28th home run, a three-run shot in the opening inning. Shortstop Warren Lee (.326) singled in the other Frog run in the fifth, giving them a short-lived 4-3 lead. Starter Eddie Castillo (0-4 4.09) was the loser. He was tagged for six runs in his six innings.

Fairfax (59-48) has been beaten in the last four games and they now have a 2-game edge over second place Bayview. Arlon (55-53) is in third place and 4.5 games back.

17 Hits Not Enough, Viks Lose 11-8 to Blue Sox
The Bayview batters did their job with 17 hits, but it wasn't enough. The Blue Lake Blue Sox got only 12 hits, but won the game 11-8. The second place Vikings missed a great chance to get a game closer to the top spot in the TU West race, but they just left too many runners on the bases, a total of 13. Second baseman Ken Bennett (.276) poled two homers for the Blue Sox to give him 20 for the season. Bennett batted in four runs, went 3-for-5 and scored three times. First baseman Fred Taranto (.292) drove in a pair of runs with his 13th roundtripper and pinchhitter Doyle Osborne (.333) batted in a pair of runs. Jay Clay (12-5 2.85) was awful, giving up seven runs and 15 hits in six-plus innings, but still got credit for the victory. Only three of the runs were earned, however. Closer Russ Courtney (5-3 2.24) notched his 14th save with two innings of relief, but he staggered through the ninth, giving up a run on a double and a triple before he put the Vikings away. Jerry Harrison (12-8 3.68) was rocked for six runs in two innings and caught the loss.

Second place Bayview (57-53) is now 3.5 games in back of first place Fairfax (59-48) with Arlon (55-53) making waves in the race in third place, just 4.5 games behind the top two teams.

Lynx Edge Bucs 4-3
La Claire rallied in the seventh to bump off Bay St. Clair 4-3. Right fielder Antonio Guerrero (.324) tied the score 3-3 with a double, stole third and then scored the winning run when first baseman Francisco Robles (.292) grounded out to second base. Tony Nygaard (6-7 3.41) struck out 10 Buccaneers and chalked up the win. He permitted three runs on nine hits with one unearned. Nygaard was relieved after giving up a lead-off single in the top of the ninth. Monoto Kishata (5-9 3.59), who has been erratic as closer this year, did his job to perfection, retiring all three batters he faced and leaving the tying run on second base. Adam Lundgren (5-4 3.46) went the distance in defeat, yielding four runs and six hits.

The La Claire Lynx (52-57) are fifth in the division standings and trail first place Fairfax (59-48) by 8 games. Bay St. Clair (49-59) is in last place and 10.5 games off the pace.

I think it is time to shift gears and just sim the games. It has taken me 10 months to play 100 games into the season. That is just too slow. I am not sure what format I will use to post here.

In the beginning, I will sim two months at a time and give a summary.

The Islandian Times

Saturday, September 1, 2001

The Islandian Pro Alliance Heads Into the Home Stretch

The regular season will soon draw to a close in the first Islandian Pro Alliance. Only two weeks are left on the schedule with clubs having about 13 games remaining to be played. Far Mountain is the top club in the Ruthlandian Union North Division with a 5.5 games lead over the Valmara Vipers. The Marston Nine are in first place in the South Division and are 6.5 games up on runner-up Forest City.

Both of the two divisions are still in doubt in the Tycobbian Union. Heading the TU East race are the Ginza Ninjas. They have a razor-thin half-game edge over the South Fork Stallions. In the TU West it's the Fairfax Frogs in the driver's seat with a 3-game edge over the Blue Lake Blue Sox and a 4-game lead on the Arlon Champions.

Far Mountain bolted ahead in the RU North with a 20-10 record last month, best in the division. Valmara had the second-best mark at 18-15, Volusia was third with 16-14, followed by Glasco's 17-16 record. Colfax and Elnora were both 12-20 for the month. The Blasters fell from a half-game out of first and took a quick plunge to fourth place and 8.5 games off the pace.

Heading into the final two weeks of the campaign, the Redhawks have the best season record and lead the Valmara Vipers by 5.5 games. In third place are the Volusia Vigilantes, 7 games out. Fourth place belongs to Colfax, now a distant 8.5 games back. The Glasco Athletics are 9.5 games behind in fifth place, followed by last place Elnora, 17.5 games back.

The Far Mountain Redhawks are guided by former pitching great Alex Groveland. Far Mountain rose to first place with an outstanding August, putting up a 20-10 record. The Redhawks magic number is down to 9. They have depended on pitching to get to the top of the heap. The Redhawks are second with a 3.73 ERA, third in batting with a .270 mark, next-to-last in homers with 86 and tied for last with a .976 fielding percentage. Glasco is number one with a 3.67 ERA, Valmara tops with a .276 batting average, the Vipers and Elnora lead in home runs with 105 so far this season and Valmara and Elnora are the best fielding clubs with a .979 mark.

Groveland top producers are his relievers Mike McCabe (6-4 2.33) and Doc Rutledge (7-7 2.82). McCabe is his current closer and has worked 47 games with 8 saves, while Rutledge has pitched in 48 games with 14 saves. Rutledge was the closer until a bad July forced him into long relief and setup roles. He rebounded with a good August to give Groveland a good 1-2 tandem in the bullpen.

Far Mountain's starting mainstays over the long haul have been Sonny Elliott (15-12 3.15) and John Luzzatti (16-8 3.36). Bud Ford (6-1 2.84) joined the club in late July and has blossomed with wins in his last six games. He was the Pitcher of the Month in the Ruthlandian Union last month. Pat Brown (3-5 2.94) has given Groveland a steady fourth starter since he was promoted two weeks ago. The Redhawks mound corps looks sound going in the season's final two weeks. Far Mountain has five games left to play with Valmara this season. The Redhawks have dominated them by winning 18 of the 25 games.

Offensively catcher Dave Davis is second in the league with a .357 batting average. He has 8 home runs and 76 RBIs. Third baseman Johnny Strickland is hitting .289 with a club high 18 roundtrippers and 79 RBIs, followed by center fielder Hawk Gallagher with a .320 average, 92 runs, 6 homers, 57 runs batted in and 46 stolen bases. Gallagher is a ballhawk as well in the outfield and could win a Golden Glove. First baseman Royce Benson has stood out as well, by hitting .314 with 9 homers, 59 RBIs, scored 79 times and swiped 45 bases. A new addition in right field has been Sid Cameron, who has been a ball of fire with a .347 mark in 33 games since joining the club in mid-July. Late season power acquisition, outfielder Karl Dietz, did add power with 8 homers in August, but he hit a disappointing .207.

Far Mountain is far and away the most prolific team in the IPA as far as stealing bases. They have stolen 203 this year. Bayview of the TU West are the closest to them with 147.

The Valmara Vipers are piloted by J. Jackson Samuel and have an outside chance to catch the Redhawks for the division flag, but it's more likely they might grab a wildcat slot. The second place Vipers are 5.5 games in back of first place Far Mountain. They are currently running third behind Forest City and Sugar Valley in the wildcat race, only a game behind them. The Vipers strength is hitting with a .276 average, 105 home runs and 712 runs scored. No one has scored more runs in the IPA.

Valmara has one of the most prolific hitters in the IPA in center fielder Jan Szymanski, who leads it with 126 RBIs. Szymanski is batting .264 with 27 roundtrippers and has scored 101 times. Right fielder Jet Kazmarek has chalked up a .312 batting average, leads the IPA with 60 stolen bases and 24 triples to go with his 92 runs and 80 RBIs. From his lead-off spot catcher Yoshi Motsuzaki (.314) has provided 17 homers, 55 RBIs, 37 stolen bases and scored 95 runs. Those are the club leaders, but the Vipers have other solid hitters in second baseman Floyd Vinson (.319 BA/67 R/6 RBI), left fielder Louis Sharp (.309 BA/72 R/2 HR/44 RBI), first baseman Yank Jankowski (.291/10 HR/63 RBI/56 R) and third baseman Ricky O'Reilly (.282/13 HR/59 RBI/53 R).

Valmara is fifth in the division with a dismal 4.32 ERA. On the hill, in essence, Samuel has had only three dependable pitchers the whole season. A great starter in Zarek Zalewski, who has delivered a sparkling 18-7 record with a 2.78 ERA, a consistent starter in Todd Turner (14-9 3.99) and a standout closer in Danny Blauser, who has registered a 9-5 mark in 58 game appearances with 12 saves and a 2.37 ERA. In desperation, Valmara added four new twirlers a month ago and two of them found themselves starting and doing quite well. Jerry Yosarian (2-2 1.57) hurled two shutouts in his first two starts and Erich Ptasek (1-3 2.08) has done well in his three starts. Samuel's crew is ready for the playoffs. The Vipers have the best division record over the last two months.

On defense, the Vipers are number one with a .979 fielding percentage. The keystone combo of Vinson and shortstop Matt Mazurek have solidified the infield and could come away with Golden Gloves.

The Volusia Vigilantes will play a big part in the playoff picture as they tangle with first place Far Mountain 9 times over the last two weeks. In the season series the Redhawks have the edge 12 games to 9. The Vigilantes are third in the standings, 7 games back. Skipper Alfonso Feliz might sneak in as a wild card. They are fourth in the running right now and need to make up 2.5 games in the last two weeks. In August, the V's posted a 16-14 mark, third best in the division.

The best thing Feliz's ballclub does is hit for average, ranking second with a .274 batting mark, but they don't score a lot of runs. The Vigilantes are rated fifth in scoring and last with 83 homers. In pitching they are fourth with a 4.03 ERA and tied for third with a .978 fielding percentage.

At the plate shortstop Scooter Perez has sizzled, leading the Ruthlandian Union with a lofty .374 batting average. Perez has 36 doubles, 8 triples, 8 home runs, scored 100 times, driven in 45 runs and stolen 58 bases. In addition he has a .985 fielding percentage. First baseman Alejandro Salazar has done a lot of damage, too. He is hitting at a .286 clip with 40 doubles, 6 triples, 19 homers, scored 77 runs and batted in 78. To get more power in the lineup, Feliz traded four players for second baseman Francisco Abreu a month ago. For the season Abreu has batted .280 with 24 home runs, scored 78 times and driven in 83. He has done well with the bat in his first month with the V's.

Volusia's top twirler has been its excellent closer Ricky Moreno, who has worked in 42 games, saved 22 of them, and has compiled a 4-4 record with a splendid 2.05 ERA. Raul Sandoval has sparkled at times, registering a 15-15 mark with a solid 3.32 ERA. Lenny Collins (13-10 4.21) and Kit Kivett (1108 4.03) have been dependable starters. Brian King is only 4-7, but has sparkled with a 2.91 ERA.

Going into July, the Colfax Blasters were living up to their name and leading the RU North, but manager Clem Rogers crew slumped badly the next two months and finished up with a lousy 26-38 record to drop down to fourth place, 8.5 games off the pace. They have a remote chance at the playoffs, but will have to pass four other teams to do it.

The Blasters are fifth with a .268 team batting average, third in homers with 104, second in scoring with 680, third with a 3.87 ERA and tied for last with a .976 fielding percentage.

Rogers' one strong point has been his bullpen. They top the division with an overall 3.00 ERA, headed by closer Vic Jankovich, who is 3-0 with 7 saves and a brilliant 1.45 ERA since being signed by the club two months ago. Jasper LaForge is 0-1 with 3 saves and a very impressive 1.33 ERA in 10 games and Andy Haig is 1-0 and a save with a 2.19 ERA. LaForge and Haig have only been on the roster for a month.

Colfax starters have been spotty this season and lately not very good. Flash Guidry is 13-16 with a 3.72 ERA on the season, but only 4-10 with a 5.00 over the last two months. Guidry has lost his last six decisions. Harry Manning is 13-14 with a 4.04 ERA this year, but just 3-10 in July and August with an ERA over 5.00. Robbie Smith is 11-11 and a 3.74 ERA. Smith is 8-7 the last two months with a 4.20 ERA.

First baseman Dennis Cole has led the Blasters all season long with an explosive bat. Cole has a .325 batting average with 26 doubles, 6 triples, 36 home runs, 137 walks, scored 109 times and batted in 118. Cole is the division leader in walks and runs scored. Second baseman Tucker Hill has had a fine year with a .340 average, 30 doubles, 12 triples, 5 homers, scored 94 runs with 52 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. Another pair of productive hitters are right fielder Blinky Brandon and center fielder Pat Lott. Brandon with a .318 batting average, 35 doubles, 6 triples, 8 home runs, 103 runs scored and 62 RBIs, and Lott with a solid season hitting .265 with 43 doubles, 5 triples and 9 roundtrippers. Lott has scored 65 times and batted in 79. A month ago outfielder Rodney Rich was traded from Marston. He has now taken over left field and has hit .336 with 14 runs and 16 RBIs in 30 starts this year.

McDuffie Hughes is at the helm of the Glasco Athletics. The A's are fifth in the Ruthlandian Union North and trail by 9.5 games. Glasco has hovered around the .500 mark most of the year. Last month they were 17-16. Hughes' team is still in the running for the playoffs, but it will be tough to pass five other clubs.

Glasco has the best team ERA in the RU North at 3.67, tied for third in hitting at .270, also tied for third with 104 home runs, fifth in scoring with only 605 runs and is tied for third in fielding with a .978 percentage.

The Athletics have the best mound corps in the RU North with two outstanding hurlers. In the bullpen Ray Cook (4-5) has been superb with 16 saves in 45 appearances and a 1.85 ERA. Among the starters Raul Sandoval is one of the best in the IPA. Sandoval is 14-11 with an excellent 2.74 ERA. Jerry Smith and Charles Darby give Hughes two more solid starters. Smith has a 16-16 record with a 3.58 ERA, while Darby is 16-15 with a 3.74 ERA.

Pacing Glasco at bat is first baseman Maury Smith with a .363 batting average, 40 doubles, 3 triples, 13 homers, 88 runs and 85 RBIs. He has split the season with the A's and Bay St. Clair of the TU West. Left fielder Ox Beauvais has provided most of the team's power, hitting 22 home runs with 81 RBIs, scoring 73 times and batting .331. Center fielder Chet Reynolds is batting .284 with 84 runs scored, 53 RBIs and 41 stolen bases. Second baseman Barry McCord has chipped in a .298 average with 29 doubles, 1 triple, 12 roundtrippers, scored 63 times and batted in 72.

It has been a very poor season for the cellar-dwelling Elnora All-Stars, managed by Zoggy White. He just simply doesn't have the talent to compete. The All-Stars are last in hitting with a .266 mark, last in runs scored with only 573 and last with a 4.41 ERA. However, they are first with 105 home runs and tied for first in fielding percentage with .979.

In August Elnora suffered through a 12-20 month and tied with Colfax for the division's worst record. The All-Stars are in last place and are a distant 17.5 games behind first place Far Mountain.

On the hill Carl Costas and Pat Savoie have done decent jobs. Costas is 13-13 with a 3.40 ERA and Savoie is 11-7 with a 3.63 ERA. Tyrone Gray has some great talent, but has been inconsistent. He is 9-15 overall with a 4.46 ERA, but has five shutouts this year. Newcomer Kenny Karr has performed well in four starts with a great 1.66 ERA, but only has a 1-3 record to show for it.

White only has three productive hitters: second baseman Gil Foster, left fielder Quincy Peterson and right fielder Paul Giles. Foster has .343 average with 26 doubles, 2 triples, 18 homers, scored 81 times and driven in 74 runs this season. Peterson has a .299 batting average with 24 doubles, 9 triples, 25 roundtrippers, 76 runs and 89 RBIs. Giles was picked up in a trade with South Fork six weeks ago. Giles sports a .283 batting average, 27 doubles, 4 triples, 27 home runs, scored 76 times and has 80 runs batted in.

The Islandian Times

Saturday, September 1, 2001

Marston Headed for RU South Crown, Forest City and Sugar Valley Vie for Playoff Spot

In the Ruthlandian South, the Marston Nine are the top dog with a 6.5-game bulge over second place Forest City. Marston's magic number is down to 8. Manager Johnny Walters' club had a good August and stretched its lead over the Lumberjacks with a 20-13 record, best in the division. Sugar Valley was second with a 20-14 mark, Forest City was third at 16-14, followed by Belair Beach 14-18, Waleska 13-18 and Claxton 13-19.

Marston is getting it done with good pitching. The Nine top the division with a 3.46 team ERA and are led by Nick Pace with a 20-11 record, 2.84 ERA, 6 shutouts and 20 complete games. Booger Burchfield (11-11 2.98) has been a good trade addition with an 8-5 mark and 2.68 ERA since joining the team in late June. He is Walters' number two starter. Number three is Bob Lowe, who has missed most of the season due to two lengthy stays on the DL, is back for the stretch run. He is 2-3 with a 3.00 ERA in 7 starts. Casey Ledbetter rounds out the starting rotation. He was great in the first half of the year, but has floundered in the second half. Ledbetter is 14-12 with a 3.77 ERA. He is only 3-9 since July.

In mid-season, Marston was suffering from the lack of a solid closer and picked up Walt Sellers in late June in a trade with Colfax of the RU North. Sellers (5-6 3.06) has taken charge with 7 saves and 2 wins with an excellent 2.53 ERA in the last month. Walters is blessed with good middle relief, too.

At bat, the Nine have done the job as well. They are good contact hitters, but lack power. Marston is tied for second with a .279 team batting average in the hit-and-homer happy RU South. They are third with 641 runs, fifth with 127 roundtrippers and tied for fifth with a .975 fielding percentage.

Marston is tough throughout the line-up and are a well-balanced attack. Third baseman Roland Thomas lacks power, but makes up for in with a .364 average, 40 doubles, 4 triples, 5 home runs, 75 RBIs and 65 runs scored. Lead-off man and center fielder Tommy Reinhold has a .318 batting average with 25 doubles, 4 triples, 12 homers, 50 RBIs, 83 runs and 50 stolen bases. Ken Green has been solid at second base and put up a .314 average with 22 doubles, 5 triples, 15 home runs, 71 RBIs and scored 78 times. Left fielder Ronnie Horn tops the team with 18 roundtrippers, tied with first baseman Johnny Berthold. Horn is batting .291 with 21 doubles, 8 triples, 60 RBIs, 82 runs and 20 stolen bases. Even catcher Mo Chappell and shortstop Don Nichols have contributed solidly. Chappell has hit .276 with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs, while Nichols is hitting .271 in 75 games since moving into the starting line-up. Nichols has batted in 37 runs, scored 31 times and stolen 13 bases. Berthold has lost his position to Chuck Bennett. Berthold hit 18 homers and had 58 RBIs, but was hitting only .215. Bennett had hit 5 home runs in his 10 games as a starter and added needed punch to the line-up. Overall Bennett is batting .257 with 9 homers and 30 RBIs in 35 starts. Walters has also made a change in the outfield, replacing right fielder Chris Deangelo with Kerby Jost. Deangelo carries a good bat with a .279 average, 24 doubles, 2 triples, 15 homers, 54 RBIs and 53 runs scored, but Jost took over in early August and has put some perk in the club's attack. Jost's batting average is .322 in 28 starts with 8 doubles, 3 triples, 5 roundtrippers, 19 RBIs and 20 runs scored.

The runner-up Forest City Lumberjacks are skippered by Robbie Jackson. He has depended on the longball to sustain them this season. The 'Jacks are the only team with two players over 30 homers. They are first in the IPA with 162 circuit shots. Forest City is third in the division with a 4.03 ERA and are the best-fielding team with a .980 mark. One more good pitcher could do wonders for them.

Jackson fields a potent team, spearheaded by left fielder Chuck Hill, who is hitting .328 with 28 doubles, 4 triples, 33 home runs, 110 RBIs and 99 runs. Second baseman Jesse Wolf has 31 homers, is batting .295 with 28 doubles, 7 triples, 101 RBI and has scored 91 times. Center fielder Ryan Morse has been outstanding with a .340 average, 29 doubles, 3 triples, 13 home runs, 59 RBIs, 96 runs and 23 stolen bases. In right field Benny Davis has supplied 21 roundtrippers, 20 doubles, 4 triples, 75 RBIs, scored 70 runs and has a .278 batting average. J. T. Edmonds has been solid at first base with a .298 mark, 14 doubles, 1 triple, 17 homers, 71 RBIs and 65 runs scored. Shortstop Pops Keller is hitting .287 with 29 doubles, 8 home runs, 41 RBIs and has scored 70 times.

Keller (.985), Morse (.993), Edmonds (.998) and Hill (.981) have all excelled in the field.

Forest City is not far from being a very good ballclub. Jackson has solid starting pitching and an excellent bullpen. Closer Timmy Brooks has 11 saves, made 36 appearances with a 4-5 record and fine 2.20 ERA. In the starting rotation, Herm Bahr has been the most reliable with a 15-7 record and a 3.43 ERA, followed by Glenn Mann (14-13 4.02), Vinny Edelman (11-13 3.58) and Brian Charles (7-8 3.72). A great trade acquisition from Ginza of the TU East has been knuckleballer Knucks Nomellini, who came in late June. He has been superlative as a starter, compiling a 6-0 mark with a sensational 1.80 ERA. Mann has been moved to long relief and has been replaced by Nomellini in the rotation.

Currently in third place in the Ruthlandian Union South Division, the Sugar Valley Rattlers are trailing Marston by 7 games, but look like a good bet for the playoffs as a wild card. The Rattlers are battling division rival Forest City and Valmara and Volusia of the North Division for the remaining slots. Right now their prospects look good as manager Gibson Bobkins has his Rattlers playing their best ball of the year. They are coming off their best month with a 20-14 mark and seem to be hitting their stride.

Hefty hitting is the prime reason for Sugar Valley's success. The Rattlers top the RU South with a .281 team batting average, top it in scoring with 692 runs and are second with 155 homers. Bobkins starts four .300 hitters in third baseman Jorge Vargas, center fielder Freddie Vaux, second baseman Rudi Oliver and first sacker Ron Armstrong. Vargas heads the list with a .331 batting average, 32 homers, 121 RBIs and 102 runs scored. Vaux has put up a .351 average with 34 doubles, 9 triples, 8 home runs, 70 RBIs, 86 runs and 25 stolen bases. Oliver is hitting .346 with 29 doubles, 6 triples, 15 homers, 70 RBIs and scored 79 runs. Armstrong came to the Rattlers from Claxton in a trade a month ago. At Claxton he played only a backup role and saw very little action, but has performed quite well for Sugar Valley. Armstrong has hit 8 homers in August and overall has compiled a .335 batting average with 9 doubles, 1 triple, 9 homers, 26 RBIs and scored 29 times, while playing in 41 games.

The good bats don't stop there. Shortstop Flipper Bird is been outstanding at the plate and in the field. Bird is hitting .299 with 29 doubles,18 triples, 19 roundtrippers, 55 RBIs, 98 runs scored and 23 stolen bases. Catcher Slingshot McFall has a .269 average with 10 home runs and 44 RBIs and has been brilliant behind the plate. Right fielder Tommy Sonnier was obtained in a recent trade and gives the Rattlers a quality player. His batting average is .261 with 16 home runs, 73 RBIs and Sonnier has scored 69 times with 30 stolen bases. New left fielder Bruno DiPirro has provided a .295 average since he was signed a month ago. DiPirro has 5 doubles, 3 triples, 3 home runs, 16 RBIs, scored 20 times and stolen 7 bases in just 32 games.

McFall (.999) has thrown out 47% of the base stealers and should be headed for a Golden Glove. Bird (.979) and Oliver (.979) make the Rattlers strong up the middle, along with Vaux (.994).

The hitters have been doing their job for Bobkins, but pitching is another story. Sugar Valley has just about the best starter and just about the best closer in the IPA. Ron Benson is 22-10 with a 2.75 ERA, 3 shutouts and 18 complete games and Gregg Neal is 10-5 with 20 saves, 46 appearances and a 2.01 ERA. But that is about as far as the talent goes. Harvey Hines and Paul Haines are dependable starters. Hines is 10-10 with a 3.71 ERA and Haines has registered a 13-13 mark and a 3.93 ERA. The other five slots on the mound staff have been like a revolving door. Several trades for pitching have not paid any dividends yet. The jury is still out on those deals.

It hasn't been a good first year for the Belair Beach Sunbirds. They are 16 games out of first place in fourth place in the RU South Division and finished the month with a 14-18 record. Manager Marty Pedrosa, a famed pitcher himself, has done a good job in that department. The Sunbirds were a distant second to Marston with a 3.96 ERA. Pedrosa's best hurlers have been Carl Thompson (15-14 3.09) and converted reliever Ray Watson (10-4 3.00), who has done well as a starter. Thompson has fizzled in the second half of the season, going only 2-8 in the last month. Closer Lou Zanelli (8-9 3.49) has 13 saves and a decent .349 ERA in 53 appearances. Beyond this only starters Tiny Lindgren (4-7 3.56) and Ken Frey (11-12 4.45) have been adequate.

Belair Beach has been woeful with the bat, hitting only .264 and ranking fifth in the division. Pedrosa's Sunbirds are also fifth in scoring with 607 runs, but third in homers with 144. They are tied for last in defense with a .975 fielding percentage.

Three fine performers have carried the club this season. Left fielder Nicky Swift is one of the IPA's elite swinger with a .325 batting average, 41 homers, 101 RBIs, 99 runs and has stolen 15 bases, too. 17-year-old Paul Gravelli has done more than his share with a .342 average, 30 home runs, 87 RBIs and 68 runs scored. Really great numbers considering he didn't joined the team until about 30 games into the year. Right fielder Matty McDermott has consistently hit well, while compiling a .298 average with 18 roundtrippers, 58 RBIs, scoring 97 times and stealing 31 bases.

Two other players have played well. Second baseman Rick Sullivan has chalked up a .280 average with 29 doubles, 12 triples, 4 home runs, 58 RBIs, scored 65 runs and stole 14 bases. Center fielder Bobby Joe Morris is hitting .273 in less than half a season with 14 doubles, 3 triples, 7 homers, 21 RBIs and 35 runs scored.

Defensively, shortstop Danny Church has been at the top of the list in assists and has a .975 fielding percentage, but he has batted only .242. Second baseman Sullivan has handled the glove well, too. His fielding percentage is .984.

The Waleska Westerners went out and hired the legendary McGraw Johnson as manager and general manager, but still haven't had a good season. Mediocre is about the only way to describe them. The Westerners are fifth in the Ruthlandian Union South race, some 16.5 games off the pace. August was a typical month for them as they were 13-18.

Waleska is near the bottom of nearly all the statistical categories. They are ranked fifth in hitting with a .264 average, last in runs with 606, fourth with 138 roundtrippers, fifth with a poor 4.40 ERA and tied for third with a .977 team fielding percentage.

Johnson's best bat belong to Big Hoss Burkhalter, his mighty left fielder. Burkhalter sports a .304 batting average with 32 doubles, 4 triples, 40 home runs, 121 RBIs and 79 runs. Good all-around third baseman Yoshihide Nishida has had a fine year with a .282 average, 36 doubles, 14 triples, 19 roundtrippers, 83 RBIs, 94 runs scored and 26 stolen bases. Other contributors are right fielder Charley Williamson, who is batting .315 with 17 homers and 54 RBIs, center fielder Rick Vaughn with a .300 average, 12 home runs and 50 batted in, first baseman Freddie Shelton has put up a .292 mark and has hit 12 homers with 65 RBIs. Wiz Taylor is hitting .281 with 26 doubles, 6 triples and 6 homers. Taylor has driven in 47 runs and scored 82 times.

On the hill, it has been an ordeal for the Westerners. Johnson's ace has been Smokey Joe Carter with a 16-12 mark and 3.23 ERA. Jack Wagner has shown well at times with a 10-7 record and 3.99 ERA, while Gary Hill has been 14-9 with a 4.25 ERA and Rusty Kraft has compiled a 9-15 record with a 4.26 ERA. Waleska's closer is Andrei Marsiske, who is having a so-so season with 13 saves, a 3.80 ERA and has a record of 4-5.

It hasn't been the best of years for the Claxton Diamonds, but it has been an interesting one for "The Old Perfesser", Stacy Engel. He has been entertaining on and off the field, win or lose. The best thing you can say about the Diamonds is they make contact with the ball and they catch it. Claxton is number two with a .279 team batting average and also number two in defense with a .979 fielding average. However, they are last in homers with 125, last with a horrid 4.54 ERA and fourth in runs scored with 631. "Other than that, we really are a good team, " Engel told the press recently.

Claxton does have some good bats. Right fielder Dixie Baker is right up there with the best hitters in the IPA. He is currently carrying a .302 average with 36 home runs and 120 RBIs. Second baseman Donny McCoy is batting .326 with 44 doubles, 3 triples, 5 homers, 56 RBIs and has scored 90 times. Shortstop Bobby Ritter is having a good year with a .319 average, 32 doubles, 5 triples, 5 homers and 68 runs scored. Third baseman Keith Olsen is hitting at a .307 pace with 36 doubles, 5 triples, 8 home runs, 67 RBIs and 81 runs. First baseman Marty McCluskey has a .296 average, 36 doubles, 1 triple, 17 roundtrippers and 74 RBIs. Left fielder Dan Molnar has had quite a half season. Since joining the team around the mid-point of the year, Molnar has put up a .292 batting average with 16 homers and 43 RBIs.

The Diamonds have some good defenders in first baseman McCluskey (.994), second sacker McCoy (.982), right fielder Baker (.983) and center fielder Wayne Wilson (.987). Wilson is a decent hitter, too. He is batting .279 with 10 homers after becoming a regular in June.

Engel's pitching has been so terrible he had to take a good closer, Alex Vanzetti and turn him into a starter. Vanzetti is 10-7 in 16 starts and 19 relief appearances this year with a fine 2.95 ERA. He moved to the starting rotation in July. Engel thinks he has another jewel in Sid Melton. The 21-year-old lefty made his debut in late July and has recorded a 6-6 mark with a 3.24 ERA. Other Claxton starters Johnny Szwak (14-9 4.26) and Tetsunori Nakashima (14-11 4.44) have sparkled at times this season, but have been inconsistent. They both have tossed two shutouts with Szwak firing a one-hitter and a three-hitter with 10 strikeouts in each.

The Islandian Times

Saturday, September 1, 2001

Ginza and South Fork Battle Down to the Wire in TU East Race

It a two-team pennant race in the Tyrobbian Union East between the Ginza Ninjas and the South Fork Stallions. Ginza has a half-game lead heading into the final two weeks of the season.

South Fork made up some ground last month with the best record in the division. The Stallions were 17-13, followed by last place Hartsdale at 17-14, fifth place Luxora 17-16, fourth place Ozarka 16-17, first place Ginza 16-17 and third place Cape Coral had the worst record with a 13-19 mark.

The Ginza Ninjas are ahead in the race because they do everything pretty well except hit the long ball. Manager Huroko Uchiyama's club has all the fundamentals down pat. They don't beat themselves. The TU East is a pitcher's league with Ginza leading the teams in hitting with a .261 average. The Ninjas are third in runs scored with 572, second in pitching with a 3.34 ERA and third in fielding with a .976 percentage. But they are having a tough time with South Fork, who is coming on strong in the last weeks of the regular season.

Pitching is the name of the game in Ginza and Uchiyama has a fine mound corps. The Ninja manager has had the luxury of having the same starting rotation just about the entire season. At the head of the class is Kojiro Matsumoto, who has rung up an 18-10 record with a fine 2.98 ERA. Toshiharu Ito began the season in the bullpen, but didn't stay there long. Ito has sparkled with a 16-7 mark and a 2.56 ERA. Kazuhiru Nakayama is the number three man in the rotation with an 11-13 record, but an impressive 2.91 ERA. He always keeps Ginza in the game. Rounding out the staff is Vic Rouzakis with a 16-15 record and a 4.14 ERA. Rouzakis is prone to giving up gopher balls, but usually keeps the game close. In the bullpen Uchiyama can call on dependable Ken Watkins. He has worked in 40 games this year, saved 13 games and has compiled a 4-6 record and an excellent 2.32 ERA. Helping out in relief is Emil Kreskas, who signed a month ago and has been a find so far with 2 saves in 12 appearances, a 1-0 record and a microscopic 1.89 ERA in 33 innings, mainly in long relief.

The Ninjas have a good core of hitters, they just lack the power some of the other clubs have. Uchiyama depends on first baseman Kenshin Yamamoto, right fielder Charlie Campbell and left fielder Toshiharu Fujimoto for run production. Yamamoto tops the lot with a .323 batting average, 29 doubles, 22 homers, 87 RBIs and 75 runs scored. Campbell is batting .290 with 25 doubles, 3 triples, 18 roundtrippers, 82 RBIs and has scored 66. Fujimoto is hitting .288 with 23 doubles, 6 triples, 22 home runs, batted in 77 runs, scored 91 times and stole 26 bases. Shortstop Shinjiro Aoki has set the table for the big hitters and is hitting .268 with 33 doubles, 6 triples, 2 homers, scored 89 runs and stole 41 bases.

South Fork is playing very well now and has the best pitching in the league, but lost the season series to Ginza 19-11. They don't play any more against one another the rest of the regular season. With the race so close, every game is vital down the home stretch. The season ends September 13.

The South Fork Stallions lumbered along the first half of the season without much in the way of hitting, the mound staff had to do it all. But at mid-season GM Finley Charles got busy and started to wheel and deal, trading good pitchers for good contact hitters and it turned the season around. He still has a superb pitching staff and now has added some very much-needed offense, defense and speed.

Right fielder Art Atkins and second baseman Rick Tsoukalis came from Elnora in mid-July for power-hitting outfielder Paul Giles. The Stallions picked up two younger players and contact hitters and made the team better now and in the long run, too. First baseman Keith Burke was obtained in a June swap for Jerry Harrison, a quality pitcher. South Fork also sent pitcher Booger Burchfield to Marston of the RU South for center fielder Ronnie Lee. All four players improved the offense and defense. The Stallions became a new ballclub.

South Fork's big bat, third baseman Glenn Holliday, struggled for the first two months, mired in a terrible batting slump. His average was .215 in early June. Since then, Holliday has rebounded and built his average up to .286 with 28 doubles, 2 triples, 30 homers, batted in 79 runs and scored 77. Add in Atkins, Burke and Tsoukalis and the Stallions became a different ballclub. Atkins is batting .315 with 29 doubles, 4 triples, 12 homers, 55 RBIs, scored 71 times and stole 11 bases, Burke has a .287 batting average in 73 starts with 11 doubles, 7 triples, 12 home runs, 46 RBIs, scored 58 runs and stole 10 bases, and Tsoukalis has hit .279 in 63 games with 13 doubles, 2 triples, 2 roundtrippers, batted in 34 runs, scored 31 and stolen 12 bases. Burke and Tsoukalis were backups in Elnora and played very little. They have added speed, defense and hitting to the South Fork attack. Center fielder and lead-off man Ronnie Lee is batting .315 in 99 games and has 36 RBIs, scored 62 runs and stolen 30 bases.

South Fork's highly-articulate and sometimes outspoken skipper, DeRoche "Lips" Leon, has praised his pitching corps all season long -- they deserve it with a brilliant 3.00 team ERA. Who wouldn't be happy with the likes of Vince Bernini with a 10-6 record, 3 shutouts and a 2.61 ERA, Flint Battle with an 18-10 mark, 2 shutouts and a 2.63 ERA, Ken Conner with a 13-8 record and 2.93 ERA and Ken Olson with a 14-12 mark and 3.02 ERA. And when Leon goes to the bullpen, what does he find? Glenn Turnbull with a 7-5 record, 9 saves and a 2.81 ERA in 42 games, Billy Joe Gordon with a 2-6 mark (5 losses in the first month), 7 saves with a 2.70 ERA in 38 games and Kyle Moss with an 0-2 record, 2 saves and a 2.98 ERA in 18 games.

The Cape Coral Hurricanes are tied with Waleska for third place in the TU East, 10 games back in the race. Both clubs are too far out to make the playoffs. They will just fight one another for third place, but will have to watch their backsides as Luxora and Hartsdale are not too far behind. Manager Zoggy White's Hurricanes have been in the middle of the pack most of the season, plagued with just average pitching and hitting and poor defense.

The Hurricanes are hitting only .256 as a team and are ranked third in the division, second in homers with 126 and second in scoring with 585 runs. Pitching-wise the team is rated fourth with a 3.64 ERA. Defensively, not very good -- the 'Canes are last with a .973 fielding percentage.

Cape Coral's starting rotation has been pretty good with Wally Robinson leading the way with an impressive 16-10 mark and a solid 3.07 ERA. Robinson has fanned 205 in 255 innings and posted three shutouts. After him White's mound corps is just average. Katsuyuki Nagashima is 11-15 with a 3.41 ERA, Josh Salow is 7-5 with a 3.49 ERA and Gary Fountain is 11-12 with a 3.78 ERA. The bullpen has been lacking most of the season. White robbed it when he put Nagashima in the starting rotation in June. It took him until late July to find and sign Tommy Archer, who has been absolutely terrific in the closer role. Archer is 2-1 with a ridiculously low 0.40 ERA and 7 saves in his 15 game appearances.

At the plate, first baseman Rodger Wooten and left fielder Rob Kelly have been the only standouts. Wooten has compiled a .296 mark with 27 doubles, 2 triples, 27 homers, 88 RBIs and 79 runs scored, while Kelly is batting .291 with 27 doubles, 3 triples, 20 home runs, 73 RBIs and scored 79 times. In 94 games right fielder Danny Mullins has added some punch and longball to the lineup. Mullins is hitting only .251, but has slammed 16 roundtrippers, driving in 46 runs and scoring 46 times.

White has shored up his faulty defense with third baseman Spook Estes (.967), shortstop Kenny Hall (.979) and second sacker Howie Winters (.995), but none of them have hit very well. Estes has a .258 average, Winters .269 and Hall a poor .229 batting mark.

The Ozarka Naturals got off to a fast start in the first month of the season and held first place for awhile, but tapered off after that to just an average team. Guided by manager Joe Mac Carney, the Naturals are tied with Cape Coral for the third spot in the TU East and trail first place Ginza by 10 games.

The only thing Ozarka excels in is hitting home runs. The Nats lead the division with 134 roundtrippers. The team is down at the bottom with only a .239 batting average, last in runs with 525, fifth with a 3.69 team ERA and fourth in fielding with a .975 fielding percentage.

Carney has a good starting rotation, excellent closer, but weak middle relief. Sid Hyder joined the Hurricanes in June and went into the starting rotation in July and has been sensational with a 10-3 record, 3 shutouts and a 2.53 ERA. The rest of the staff gives good outings, but suffer from poor run support. Luther Hatch is 13-15 with a 3.31 ERA, Yasuyuki Nakagawa is 13-15 3.36 ERA with a pair of shutouts and Tony Didriksen has a 12-14 mark and a 3.71 ERA. Cape Coral has one of the best closers in the IPA in Alec DiMaggio. He has rung up an 8-6 record, 15 saves in 43 games with a splendid 1.45 ERA.

The Hurricanes main sticks have been third baseman Doug Cunningham with a .248 average, 43 doubles, 4 triples, 28 home runs, batted in 84 runs and scored 67 times. first baseman Floyd Snow with a .245 batting average, 28 doubles, 21 homers, 71 RBIs and 50 runs, center fielder Teddy Braun with a .288 average, 22 doubles, 7 triples, 11 home runs, 44 RBIs, 68 runs and 10 stolen bases and left fielder Ronnie Patterson, hitting .261 with 32 doubles, 8 triples, 24 roundtrippers and 30 stolen bases.

Fifth place Luxora and last place Hartsdale will be covered tomorrow.

The fifth place Luxora Zorros ended August with a 17-16 record and are the second best club with .257 team batting average, third with a 3.46 ERA, tied for first with a .977 fielding average, fourth in scoring with 553 runs and dead last by a wide margin with only 74 homers. The severe power shortage has really put a crimp in manager Rodrigo Alejandro's season. Luxora is 12 games out of first place in the Tycobbian Union East Division.

Alejandro has one of the best reliever corps, headed by Roberto Martinez, who has appeared in 47 games with an 11-4 mark, 10 saves and an excellent 1.81 ERA. Eddie Hoffman and Andy Stevens have stood out as well. Hoffman is 1-3 with 7 saves in 46 games and a 3.01 ERA, while Stevens is 4-7 with a 3.33 ERA and a save in 33 appearances.

The Zorros have three quality starters with Keith Callahan going 15-12 with a 3.31 ERA, Chris Pierce 12-12 with a 4.09 ERA and Johnny Montel 10-15 and 3.55 ERA with 3 shutouts.

On the hitters' side of the ledger sheet, Luxora is led by catcher Eric Richter with a .312 batting average, 56 RBIs and 53 runs scored. First Paul Hallenbeck has a .304 mark with 28 doubles, 5 triples, 23 home runs, 81 RBIs and 62 runs scored. Third baseman Rico Vina is batting .280 with 29 doubles, 2 home runs, 68 runs and 68 driven in. Center fielder Tommy Fortunato is hitting .267 with 22 doubles, 4 triples, 7 roundtrippers, 56 RBIs, 78 runs scored and 57 stolen bases. Left fielder Pedro Vizquel has put up a .303 batting average with 37 doubles, 5 triples, 4 home runs, 47 RBIs and scored 69 times. New right fielder Lacey Tompkins was signed about six weeks ago and has done well in 48 games with a .292 average, 11 doubles, 3 homers, 17 RBIs and 24 runs scored.

The Hartsdale Hellcats under the leadership of skipper Zim Donner improved to a 17-14 record during the last month, second to South Fork's 17-13. It has been a dismal year for the Hellcats as they are near the bottom in just about every category. The Hellcats are ranked fifth in batting with a .257 batting average, third with 115 home runs, fifth in runs scored, last with a 3.89 ERA and also fifth in fielding with a .974 mark. That translate to last place in the standings, but only a half-game short of Luxora.

Donner's best mound performer has been closer Gene Young, who has saved 15 games with an 8-4 mark and a 2.18 ERA in 49 games. Phil Reed is his top starter with a 14-10 record and a 3.16 ERA. Jackie Bond was recently pulled in from the bullpen and has looked good in a starting role. Bond is 6-3 with a 3.10 ERA in 38 appearances, including 5 starts. Recent acquisitions Tal Vaitkus and Mitch Yessan have done well, too. Vaitkus is 6-4 with a 3.17 ERA in 20 appearances and 10 starts, while Yessan has run up an 8-4 record with a 3.49 ERA in 14 starts and 20 game appearances.

Third baseman Whiz Weaver has wielded a pretty fair bat for the Hellcats. Weaver has hit .283 with 27 doubles, 3 triples, 24 homers, 71 RBIs and scored 67 times. Right fielder Dan Rogers, picked up a month ago in the 4-for-1 trade with Volusia for Francisco Abreu, has hit .337 with 7 home runs and 24 RBIs in 25 games. Overall Rogers has chalked up a .305 average with 11 doubles, 4 triples, 9 homers, 43 RBIs and 39 runs scored. Center fielder Greg Reynolds is hitting only .264, but has 30 doubles, 6 triples, 14 home runs, 41 RBIs, 71 runs scored and 41 stolen bases. Donner may have struck it rich with the signing of first baseman-outfielder Mac Faulkner, who has batted .355 in 29 games with 5 roundtrippers, 16 RBIs and scored 16 times. Outfielder Mel Poe, while not hitting for a high average, has been productive. Poe has compiled a .253 mark with 16 doubles, 5 triples, 12 roundtrippers, batted in 48 runs and scored 47 times.

The Islandian Times

Saturday, September 1, 2001

Frogs Vincent Out for Season

Fairfax fans held their breath as clean-up hitter Gregg Vincent left yesterday's Champions-Frogs contest with an injury. After the game, the team's medical staff said that the 32-year-old right fielder had suffered a ruptured achilles tendon while running the bases. It's estimated that he will be out 3 months.

This is a devastating loss for the Frogs. Vincent is currently hitting at a .327 pace with 38 home runs, 106 RBIs and has scored 86 times. Without Vincent, Fairfax is just an average ballclub in the Tycobbian Union West and will be severely challenged by second place Blue Lake and third place Arlon. The crippled Frogs currently lead the Blue Sox by 3 games and the Champions by 4 games, heading into the final two weeks of the season.

Vincent missed two weeks in July with a sprained ankle and Fairfax changed from a dominant team to just an average team in the division. Louie Ward, a light-hitting contact batter, will take his place in a platoon with the newly-signed Freddy Ryan. Ward is batting .299 on the year with 39 starts, 8 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run, 17 RBIs and 21 runs scored. Things are not looking good at the Frog Pond.