The Islandian Times

Thursday, October 5, 2006

Scribes Pick Turon Over Volusia in Pro Cup Finals
The Islands' baseball writers are giving the edge to Turon in the IPA Pro Cup Series with Volusia this year. It's the first time two Pro Cup champions have played one another in the finals. Volusia took the title in the first year of the league in 2001, while Turon was the crownholder in 2003.

The BNN writers cited Turon's superior pitching and power in choosing the Typhoons over the Vigilantes. Manager Whitey Richburn can call on two 20-game winners in his rotation. James Longstreet was 22-7 during the regular season with a 2.50 ERA. Scotty Boswell was 21-12 with a 2.22 ERA. In the postseason Longstreet is 4-1 with a 1.22 ERA and Boswell is 3-1 and a 2.31 ERA. Overall the team compiled an impressive 3.27 ERA, one of the best in the IPA.

At the plate the Typhoons hit .268 during the season with 139 home runs and 745 runs scored. Turon top batters were C Todd Somerset (.296 BA/29 HR/101 RBI), SS J. L. Lawrence (.309 BA/11 HR/61 RBI/75 R/12 SB), RF Andy Porter (.303 BA/16 HR/70 RBI/73 R/19 SB), CF Mac McCurnan (.300 BA/14 HR/51 RBI/53 R/19 SB), 2B John Paul Trevenot (.300 BA/10 HR/43 RBI/95 R/12 SB) and 3B Eric Hix (.284 BA/17 HR/75 RBI/80 R).

In Volusia manager Alfonso Feliz's best pitchers are Carl Schmitz (23-10 3.02) and Hernando Espaderos (17-11 3.21). Both of them have excelled in the playoffs. Schmitz is 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA, while Espaderos is 4-0 and 3.49. As a team the Vigilantes turned in a 3.60 team ERA.

The V's had a high-powered attack in the regular season with a .278 batting average, one of the tops in the IPA. Volusia scored a lot of runs, too. They tallied 825 runs. However, they hit only 117 roundtrippers. The Vigilantes best bats are CF Ryan Raines (.333 BA/22 HR/106 RBI/115 R/30 SB), 2B Scooter Perez (.310 BA/4 HR/64 RBI/111 R/44 SB), RF Briscoe Crowder (.288 BA/14 HR/88 RBI/85 R/24 SB), SS Bobby Farias (.281 BA/15 HR/76 RBI/99 R/29 SB) and 1B Bob Nash (.302 BA/10 HR/74 RBI/60 R/15 SB).

It could be a low-scoring series as both clubs play in big ballparks and they stress good pitching.

In the 2006 Pro Cup playoffs Turon is 9-5 so far with a 6-2 mark at home. Volusia is 9-4 with a 3-4 road record. The Typhoons are all even at 3-3 out of town... the Vigilantes are unbeaten in 6 games on their home diamond.

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 5, 2006

2006 IPA Pro Cup Series - Game One at Typhoon Stadium in Turon

Typhoons Win in 10, Edge V's 3-2 in Opener
Good pitching was forecast for the 2006 Pro Cup finals and that's exactly what transpired in the opening game at Turon. The Typhoons edged Volusia 3-2 in 10 innings on a walk-off single by RF Andy Porter (.317), who got three hits in the game and drove in his 13th and 14th runs in the postseason. Scotty Boswell started and went eight strong innings, holding Volusia to two runs and seven hits. Boswell fanned five and walked only two in the victory. Relievers Ronnie Zetterberg and Robby Lee Mason (1-0 1.50) worked a scoreless inning apiece with the win going to Mason.

Turon took the early 1-0 lead on CF Mac McCurnan's (.393) first-inning homer. It was his 12th RBI in the playoffs. The Vigilantes rallied for the lead in the fifth when pitcher Todd Wolfe (.167) tied the score with an RBI grounder and 2B Scooter Perez (.333) made it 2-1 with a sac fly. Porter evened the score at 2-all with a single in the bottom of the eighth. The V's starting pitcher Todd Wolfe (1-1 3.70) pitched well, too. Wolfe held Turon to two runs and five hits over eight innings. He walked four and struck out four. The losing pitcher was Raul Sandoval (0-2 8.22), who came on in the tenth. Volusia outhit the Typhoons in the opener 9 to 8.

The Islandian Times

Friday, October 6, 2006

2006 IPA Pro Cup Series - Game Two at Typhoon Stadium in Turon

V's Even Pro Cup, Nip Turon 5-4 in Game 2
Volusia went from winning in a breeze to winning in a sweat as they nipped Turon 5-4 in game two of the Pro Cup Series. Carl Schmitz had a very comfortable 5-1 edge going into the ninth, but couldn't hold it. Back-to-back homers made it close. The Typhoons cut it to just one run before reliever Tony Hartwig could put out the three-run last-ditch rally.

Schmitz (5-1 2.77) notched the win and evened up the series at one game each. Turon got to him for four runs and eight hits in eight and one-third innings. Schmtiz fanned six batters and walked only one. James Longstreet (4-2 1.72) sustained the loss, going eight innings and giving up five runs. Longstreet suffered from his lack of control as he walked nine. Four of them came in the critical three-run second inning. Longstreet permitted six hits. Walks were involved in all of the Vigilantes runs in the third and ninth innings.

Volusia was outhit by the Typhoons who chalked up 9 to the V's 7. 2B Scooter Perez (.345) and SS Bobby Farias (.204) topped Volusia with a pair of hits apiece, while Turon was led by RF Andy Porter (.328) who homered in the second inning, his 3rd of the playoffs, C Todd Somerset (.302) with a two-run clout in the ninth, his 4th in postseason, and 3B Eric Hix (.250), who collected a solo homer in the ninth.

The teams will now head to the Jailhouse in Volusia for games three and four.

The Islandian Times

Saturday, October 7, 2006

2006 IPA Pro Cup Series - Game Three at Silver River Stadium (The Jailhouse) in Volusia.

Speigel Spins 1-Hitter, Turon Tops V's 3-0
Turon's 23-year-old righthander Freddi Spiegel hurled a career game - a brilliant one hitter to shut out Volusia 3-0 in game three of the IPA Pro Cup Series. The Typhoons now lead the best-of-seven series two games to one. Briscoe Crowder's (.246) second-inning double was the only hit off Spiegel. C Armando Villa (.340) was the only other baserunner as he got on base via an error in the seventh. Spiegel (3-1 2.41) struck out five Vigilantes and walked none in a superb outing. Hernando Espaderos (4-1 3.57) suffered his first loss of the postseason. He allowed three runs on six hits with four Ks in six-plus innings. Turon broke up the scoreless duel in the three-run sixth when SS Roy Flanagan (.391) singled in two runs and Spiegel (.214) also batted in one with a single.

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 7, 2006

2006 IPA Pro Cup Series - Game Four at Silver River Stadium (The Jailhouse) in Volusia.

NOTE: Sorry, folks... originally I posted game three twice and did not post game four.

VOLUSIA DEADLOCKS PRO CUP SERIES AT 2 GAMES EACH

The Islandian Times

Monday, October 9, 2006

2006 IPA Pro Cup Series - Game Five at Silver River Stadium (The Jailhouse) in Volusia.

Turon Takes Pro Cup Lead, Tops V's 1-0
Both Turon and Volusia had their aces on the hill and it turned out to be an old-fashioned pitchers' duel. When it ended, surprisingly one of the aces won the game with his bat. Turon's James Longstreet (.318), not only hurled a 5-hit shutout against the Volusia Vigilantes, but he also homered in the seventh inning for the only run of the game. The Typhoons won game five 1-0 to take a three games to two lead in the best-of-seven IPA Pro Cup Series. Longstreet (5-2 1.47) went the distance for his fifth postseason triumph this season. He struck out five batters and issued four bases on balls. Carl Schmitz (5-2 2.59) worked seven strong innings and gave up only one run in a losing effort with three strikeouts and no walks.

The Pro Cup Series will now go back to Turon and finished out the playoffs at Typhoon Stadium. One more win will clinched the 2006 Pro Cup for the Typhoons.

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

2006 IPA Pro Cup Series - Game Six at Typhoon Stadium in Turon

Turon Wins 2nd Pro Cup, Wins 3-2 in Game 6
They did it again! The Turon Typhoons became the first team to win two IPA Pro Cups. Whitey Ashburn's Typhoons eliminated the Volusia Vigilantes in six hard-fought games to take the crown for the second time in its history. Turon whipped Valmara in 2003 for its first title. This time around it was also great pitching that produced the championship. In game six, Freddi Spiegel (4-1 2.34) fired a five-hitter to beat the Vigilantes 3-2. He went the distance, fanned four and walked two, while outpitching Hernando Espaderos (4-2 3.54). Espaderos also hurled a complete game and only surrendered five hits, struck out three and walked three in defeat. Trailing 2-1 in the seventh, SS Roy Flanagan (.394) tied it up with a single and LF Bruce Boatman (.247) had the game-winner with a single. Just three days ago Spiegel tossed a splendid 1-hit shutout in game three. He blanked the Vigilantes 3-0 to put the Typhoons up 2-1 in the series.

Volusia got its two runs in the first inning on LF Winky Rush's (.278) solo homer and SS Bobby Farias' (.206) base hit. In the last of the second Turon cut the score to 2-1 when C Todd Somerset (.299) singled, advanced to second on a ground-out and rode home on 3B Eric Hix's (.254) double. It remained that way until the decisive seventh.

Manager Ashton "Whitey" Richburn was really beaming after the game. He told reporters, "The first Pro Cup felt great, but it gets even better the second time around. We depend on pitching and defense and it came through for us again this year. Longstreet, Boswell and Spiegel really did their jobs." Turon compiled a great 1.93 ERA in the Pro Cup finals against the Vigilantes and a 2.24 ERA in 20 playoff games.

Volusia's skipper Alfonso Feliz commented during the press conference, "We lost, but I'm still proud of my team. They stood toe-to-toe in every single game and came close to winning. Unfortunately, close only counts in horseshoes. You got to give credit where credit is due. Whitey's starting threesome just might be the best in the IPA. They certainly were in the Pro Cup finals. They held us to a .226 batting average and only 15 runs. A few base hits here and there and we could easily have been the champs. Five of the six games were decided by one run. Turon only scored 19 runs overall. It was a hotly-contested series and they won it. I salute them and congratulate them. The Typhoons are a fine ball club."

James Longstreet won the deciding game in 2003 Pro Cup Series when he beat the Valmara Vipers 5-3 in game three with help from reliever Mac Yokum. Turon swept favored Valmara in three games and were led by Longstreet, closer Yokum and CF Lance Ambrose.

Longstreet was 4-1 with a 1.05 ERA, while Yokum had 5 saves in 7 relief appearances and allowed no runs in 11 innings. Ambrose was the Typhoons top hitter with a .341 batting average, 7 runs batted in and 9 runs scored.

Longstreet was the 2003 Pro Cup Most Valuable Player.

The Islandian Times

Thursday, October 12, 2006

IPA Announces Best Newcomers

Ruthlandian Union Names Top Rookie
Rookies are supposed to be seen, but not heard. At least, that's how most veterans feel. But that's not the case with Elnora's Rick Mulloy. He spoke up loudly and often this season on his way to winning the Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year Award for 2006.

To be accurate, the 25-year-old center fielder let his performance do the talking. In his debut season Mulloy piled up some good stats, hitting .289, driving in 76 runs and scoring 125 times, while playing in 147 games. The All-Stars newcomer also had 25 doubles, 12 triples and 24 home runs.

TU Top Newcomer Named
His rookie season has paid off well for Teddy Blanton of the Colchester Elites. He has hit the jackpot. The 27-year-old right fielder topped off his fine first season with the 2006 Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year Award. It was a season to remember for the Elites newcomer. He wrapped up his inaugural year with a .329 batting average, 24 doubles, 5 triples and 47 home runs. Blanton also had 134 RBIs and scored 106 times.

The Islandian Times

Friday, October 13, 2006

IPA Chooses Top Twirlers For 2006

Snappers Watkins, Golden Arm Award Winner
The Golden Arm Award for 2006 has been presented and the Ruthlandian Union winner is Ernie Watkins of Rocky Rapids. Watkins excelled with an impressive 28-11 record in 39 starts. In 285 innings he yielded 256 hits and 91 walks, while striking out 201 and compiling a fine 2.52 ERA.

Blue Jays Ace TU's Best Pitcher
He's in the early phase of his career, but this past season Titus Bristow performed like a veteran on the hill for the Tuckanarra Blue Jays and walked away with the Tycobbian Union Golden Arm Award in the process.

The 25-year-old Blue Jays star fashioned a 27-7 won-loss record in 2006 with a 1.73 ERA. In 327 innings of work and 39 starts, Bristow struck out 141 while giving up 281 hits and 66 walks. He held opposing batters to a .237 average.

The Islandian Times

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Best Hitters in the IPA Selected

2006 Premier Batter Picked
Charlie Gamble of the Middlefield Roosters proved that you can step out of the shadows and onto the stage if you've got the talent and the drive to hone your skills. Hard work, long hours and a tireless resolve paid off for him today in the form of the Ruthlandian Union Golden Bat Award. Gamble hit for a .338 average while collecting 215 hits, 40 doubles, 2 triples, 52 home runs, 147 RBIs and scoring 120 times. The hard-hitting 32-year-old second baseman led the IPA in RBIs and home runs, while finishing fourth in runs scored.

Courtney TU Selection for 2006 Golden Bat Award
Wherever Oxford's Joe Courtney signs on next year, the Red Cap third baseman will be hauling home a good paycheck after the impressive season he just wrapped up. Courtney received word of his Tycobbian Union Golden Bat Award selection earlier today. That should make him a valuable commodity for next year. This is the second time in his career Courtney has won the much-coveted award. He was the 2003 winner. In 2006 the 32-year-old third sacker boasted a .359 average and a .464 on-base percentage as he piled up 188 hits, 27 doubles, 2 triples, 44 home runs, 118 RBIs and 114 runs scored. Courtney finished third in homers in the IPA.

The Islandian Times

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Golden Gloves Announced by IPA

RU Golden Glove Award Winners Named
"Flashing the leather" and "good with the glove" are ways to describe players who help their teams by playing great defense. Today the most dependable glovemen in the Ruthlandian Union for 2006 were announced. There were no repeat winners this year. Golden Glove Awards will be presented to these top-notch defenders:

Pitcher: Dave Webb (Middlefield Roosters)
Catcher: Erich Adamczyk (Valmara Vipers)
First Baseman: Phil Gravelli (Belair Beach Sunbirds)
Second Baseman: Sammy Ragsdale (Middlefield Roosters)
Third Baseman: Jimmy Holman (Marston Nine)
Shortstop: Flipper Bird (Sugar Valley Rattlers)
Left Fielder: Stan Czerwinski (Valmara Vipers)
Center Fielder: Ryan Raines (Volusia Vigilantes)
Right Fielder: Jackie Allemand (Claxton Diamonds)

Year's Best Gloves Selected by Tycobbian Union
Making the play is the mark of great defenders. Spearing a liner, diving in the hole or crashing headlong into the wall makes no difference to these awe-inspiring fielders. Magicians they sometimes appear to be, showing up out of nowhere to rob a batter of a hit and to turn a hit into an out. Pitchers love 'em, batters curse 'em... and fans are sometimes speechless. Catcher Jim Mitchell of the Ginza Ninjas was the only repeat winner this year. He won for the second year in a row. All of the other recipients are first time selections this season.These defensive wizards will collect their 2006 Tycobbian Union Golden Glove Awards tonight:

Pitcher: Peter Brenneman (Rolling Hills Reds)
Catcher: Jim Mitchell (Ginza Ninjas)
First Baseman: Chancey Quibedeaux (Bayview Vikings)
Second Baseman: Dusty Eaton (Mahaska Haymakers)
Third Baseman: Benny Rotella (East Point Panthers)
Shortstop: Trevor Tomlinson (Denton City Redbirds)
Left Fielder: Vic Weinstein (Ozarka Naturals)
Center Fielder: Skeeter Hall (Bay St. Clair Buccaneers)
Right Fielder: Lonnie Jacobson (Ginza Ninjas)

The Islandian Times

Monday, October 16, 2006

Pitchers Win MVP In Both Leagues
Pitchers have won the Most Valuable Player Award in the IPA, but never in both leagues in the same year. This year's winners are Ernie Watkins of the Rocky Rapids Snappers in the Ruthlandian Union and Titus Bristow of the Tuckanarra Blue Jays in the Tycobbian Union. Watkins had a fastastic season by setting a new IPA mark for most victories with 28. The old record was 26 held by Flint Battle of South Fork and Jimmy Simmons of Colchester. Battle was 26-11 in 2002 and Simmons notched a 26-8 mark in 2005.

Bristow established a new Tycobbian Union record for victories with a 27-7 mark this year. He broke the old record held by Battle and Simmons. Burg sparked the Blue Jays to their best record ever and a runner-up spot in the TU East this season. Watkins was 28-11 with a 2.52 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 285 innings, leading Rocky Rapids to a second-place finish in the RU West, the highest the Snappers have ever finished. Bristow snapped Cody Burg's ERA record with a terrific 1.73 ERA. Cape Coral's Burg had a 1.87 ERA in 2003. Bristow was outstanding with 22 complete games and 6 shutouts.

Watkins and Bristow now join Ginza's Kojiro Matsumoto and Hartsdale's Gus Kostro as the only hurlers who have won the MVP trophies. Matsumoto was 19-11 in 2001 with a 3.00 ERA, while Kostro was 25-6 with a 2.39 ERA in 2003.

Previous Ruthlandian Union MVP winners were Volusia SS Scooter Perez (2001), Valmara LF Jet Kazmarek (2002-2003), Sugar Valley SS Flipper Bird (2004) and San Dimas 1B Johnny Carducci (2005).

Former Tycobbian Union MVP honorees were Ginza pitcher Kojiro Matsumoto (2001), East Point 2B Karol Zodoka (2002), Hartsdale pitcher Gus Kostro (2003), Oxford CF Ike Plunkett (2004) and High Mesa LF Adam Zitek (2005).

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, October 16, 2006

Turon's Spiegel Captures 2006 Pro Cup MVP
The outstanding player in the 2006 IPA Pro Cup playoffs was Turon's terrific 23-year-old righthander Freddi Spiegel, who won two crucial games in the Pro Cup finals and led the Typhoons to their second Pro Cup title. He tossed a splendid 1-hitter in the 3-0 victory in game three and then closed out the series in game six with a 3-2 victory. Overall during the postseason Spiegel was 4-1 with a 2.34 ERA. Teams only hit .156 against him in the playoffs.

Teammate James Longstreet was second in the voting. He chalked up a 5-2 mark in the postseason with a sparkling 1.47 ERA. A 5-4 loss in game two probably cost him his second MVP trophy. The 34-year-old Longstreet won the 2003 MVP honors in the Typhoons first title run.

Third in the balloting was Turon's Scotty Boswell, who compiled a 3-1 record in the playoffs with a 2.34 ERA.

Others receiving votes were three Turon players and two Volusia players. RF Andy Porter (.325 BA/3 HR/15 RBI/11 R), CF Mac McCurnan (.305 BA/2 HR/12 RBI/13 R) and C Todd Somerset (.299 BA/4 HR/11 RBI/14 R), all of Turon, and Volusia's Carl Schmitz (5-2 2.59) and C Armando Villa (.328 BA/4 HR/13 RBI/11 R).

Spiegel joins five previous IPA Pro Cup MVPs: Volusia 2B Francisco Abreu (2001), High Mesa SS Rolf Kellgren (2002), Turon pitcher James Longstreet (2003), Red Bluff pitcher Mila Mohoski (2004) and Middlefield CF Bailey Norcross (2005).

I will now get ready for IPA season 7.

In order to speed up the process, I will just give a year summary at the end of the season, post the league leaderboards and cover the playoffs game-by-game.

I want to play about 20 seasons and then perhaps convert the league to OOTP10. This will give me a good league history. At that time I may change the league structure to one major league with 16 teams with three minor leagues. I would play out each game each day of the major league (actually the last three innings of each game). Each major league team would have three minor league affiliates to supply them players.

The Islandian Times

Monday, October 23, 2006

Engel and Louis Managers of the Year in IPA
BNN writers and broadcasters have made their picks for the IPA Managers of the Year. Claxton manager Stacy Engel guided the Diamonds rise from fifth to second in the RU South and was chosen the Ruthlandian Union's top manager and Arlon's skipper Gary Louis will receive the Tycobbian Union award.

"The Old Perfesser" Engel led Claxton to a second-place finish with a 96-59 record. Elnora's Zoggy White was number two in the poll and Taranto's Tommaso Lazzorda was third. White directed the All-Stars recovery from seventh place in 2005 to the second spot this year. Lazzorda won the RU North with a 91-63 mark.

Louis of the Arlon Champions steered them to remarkable turnaround. The Champs climbed from sixth place to the TU West title. Arlon had the best record in the IPA with a 99-55 record. Ranked second in the poll was Oxford's Campy Roy, who piloted the Red Caps back to the top of the TU North with a 93-61 mark. They were fourth in 2005. Carlton "Lefty" Stevens finished third in the balloting for the Tuckanarra Blue Jays comeback season. They moved up in the TU East standings from fifth to second place with a record of 87-67.

The Islandian Times

Monday, March 1, 2007

IPA Commissioner Announces New Playoff System
John Banford, the commissioner of the Islandian Pro Alliance, announced today the league will put into effect this season a new playoff system. Only divisions winners will qualify for the Pro Cup playoffs. Each round will be best-of-seven.

The IPA has had several prior postseason plans. In the first season in 2001 when there were only 24 teams, only the division champion from each division qualified for the playoffs with best-of-seven series. The 8-team system was shelved in 2002 when the league expanded to 64 teams. The top four teams in each division qualified with each series a best-of-three series. In 2004 a new system was adopted whereby the top two clubs in each division would make the postseason with each series a best-of-five series, except for the Pro Cup finals, which be a best-of-seven series.

At the press conference Commissioner Banford told the press, "Many teams have complained over the past three years that it wasn't fair to the pennant winners to play short series. Many times they were beaten by second place teams in short best-of-three or best-of-five series. Many clubs thought that they should get an advantage for winning over the long 154-game season and only the division winners should make the playoffs. They also wanted all series to be best-of-seven. This would give the better team a better chance to win. The best team doesn't always win a short series. The thinking is that the longer a series goes, the advantage will be to the best team. This new playoff method would also mean a team would only have to win three series to win the Pro Cup. In the past there were as many as four and five rounds."

The Islandian Times

IPA Announces 2007 All-Stars

Nothing is for certain about the 2007 Islandian Pro Alliance All-Star Game. It may be dominated by top-notch pitching performances. Or it could turn into a home run derby. Who knows? Pitch by pitch, inning by inning, the game could feature a little of both -- six strikeouts in a row by a nasty southpaw -- or a 3-homer day for some superstar slugger -- plus great catches, thrills, chills and spills -- all the great and the unexpected things that can happen in a baseball game. One thing is for certain - with all of the fine performers - the fans will really enjoy the ball game.

Only one rookie was selected for the 2007 All-Star Game. That was RF Stan Cuccinello of the Eastshore Elegants. C Hank Bethel of the Bayview Vikings was named for the fifth time. Belair Beach 1B Phil Gravelli, Valmara 3B Joe Courtney, Stoner SS Karol Zodoka, Arroyo Grande LF Jet Kazmarek all are four-time All-Stars.

This year, the Ruthlandian Union will be represented by these All-Star performers:
SP Stanley Ross (RAN) 9-5 2.94
SP Wilson Whitmore (WLK) 9-3 2.24
SP Jasper LaForge (CFX) 12-3 3.00
SP Ilya Szabo (CFX) 13-1 2.18 -
SP Warren Paul (ELN) 8-6 2.41 - All-Star 2006-2007
SP Wayne Baxley (BEE) 8-4 2.83
SP Ted Chambers (STO) 8-4 2.59
SP Zippy Hodge (MAR) 8-4 2.82
SP Charlie Murphy (CLX) 8-3 2.76
SP Todd Wolfe (VOL) 8-5 2.66
C Benny Stern (STO) .315 BA/15 HR/57 RBI
C Otto Kronvath (LAG) .276 BA/20 HR/63 RBI
C T. Leonetti (CFX) .337 BA/2 HR/29 RBI
1B Phil Gravelli (BB) .362 BA/21 HR/65 RBI - All-Star 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007
1B Mike Luzzatti (CLX) .315 BA/16 HR/44 RBI
2B Jesse Goodwin (RAN) .341 BA/10 HR/45 RBI
2B Duane Parsons (FM) .322 BA/13 HR/42 RBI
3B Jimmy Holman (MAR) .294 BA/7 HR/35 RBI - All-Star 2005, 2007
3B Joe Courtney (VLM) .278 BA/11 HR/43 RBI - All-Star 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007
SS Karol Zodoka (STO) .291 BA/12 HR/42 RBI - All-Star 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007
SS Russ Russell (CCR) .316 BA/6 HR/32 RBI
LF Darrel Alston (ETS) .344 BA/16 HR/42 RBI - All-Star 2005, 2007
LF Jimmy Tremayne (VLK) .380 BA/3 HR/23 RBI
LF Scott Camden (RR) .297 BA/17 HR/51 RBI
LF Quincy Peterson (BP) .325 BA/15 HR/54 RBI - All-Star 2006, 2007
CF Dalton Leeds (WYN) .326 BA/8 HR/31 RBI - All-Star 2005, 2007
CF Billy Martz (BB) .336 BA/6 HR/38 RBI
CF Karl Perret (LAG) .341 BA/5 HR/29 RBI
RF Fred Collins (SLI) .301 BA/10 HR/39 RBI - All-Star 2004, 2007
RF Stan Cuccinello (ETS) .311 BA/14 HR/56 RBI *

* = Rookie

While the Tycobbian Union best will be these stars:
SP Cody Burg (CC) 7-6 1.82 - All-Star 2006, 2007
SP Ed Dupard (HIL) 8-4 2.30
SP Tommy Ruffin (TUC) 10-1 2.90
SP Alex DiMaggio (OZK) 9-6 2.28
SP Jimmy Simmons (CCH) 9-4 2.54 - All-Star 2005, 2007
SP Titus Bristow (TUC) 9-2 1.57 - All-Star 2006, 2007
SP Johnny Spears (MAH) 11-3 1.75 - All-Star 2006, 2007
SP Frank Payne (CCH) 12-4 2.06
SP Anthony Nardone (TUR) 9-6 1.80 - All-Star 2003, 2004, 2007
SP Dan Phillips (OXF) 10-5 2.37 - All-Star 2003, 2007
C Geronimo Paytah (MDW) .295 BA/2 HR/35 RBI
C Juanito Luque (ARL) .302 BA/4 Hr/27 RBI
C Hank Bethel (BAY) .284 BA/11 HR/27 RBI - All-Star 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
1B Harlan Roscoe (CCH) .289 BA/20 HR/59 RBI - All-Star 2003, 2007
1B Don Piper (MDW) .345 BA/11 HR/48 RBI
1B Chancey Quibedeaux (BAY) .346 BA/14 HR/43 RBI - All-Star 2003, 2006, 2007
1B Miles Shufford (SA) .329 BA/19 HR/46 RBI
2B Jim Helwig (EP) .313 BA/15 HR/46 RBI
2B John Asbury (HM) .322 BA/17 HR/59 RBI
3B Karl Benson (BAY) .348 BA/16 HR/50 RBI
3B Nathan Ferrell (OZK) .317 BA/13 HR/47 RBI - All-Star 2005, 2007
SS Scooter Perez (MAH) .326 BA/1 HR/22 RBI - All-Star 2001, 2007
SS Jose Aguilar (RB) .290 BA/9 HR/30 RBI - 2005, 2006, 2007
LF Jet Kazmarek (AG) .332 BA/6 HR/37 RBI - All-Star 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007
LF Zeppy Deshotel (LC) .309 BA/12 HR/48 RBI - All-Star 2006, 2007
LF Rocco Belasario (ARL) .330 BA/10 HR/35 RBI - All-Star 2006, 2007
CF Douglas Tilford (CCH) .375 BA/9 HR/48 RBI
CF Wayne McDonald (OXF) .353 BA/14 HR/36 RBI
RF Tad Kirklin (BL) .349 BA/21 HR/75 RBI - All-Star 2006, 2007
RF Teddy Blanton (CCH) .376 BA/20 HR/59 RBI - All-Star 2006, 2007
RF H. Graczyk (MDW) .324 BA/16 HR/55 RBI

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

2007 IPA Mid-Season Standings

2007 Ruthlandian Union North Division Mid-Season Standings

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

2007 IPA Mid-Season Standings

2007 Tycobbian Union North Division Mid-Season Standings

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

2007 IPA All-Star Game at Typhoon Stadium in Turon

TU Stars Win Again, Edge RU Stars 3-2, Graczyk Hero
At Typhoon Stadium in Turon, the Tycobbian All-Stars continued to dominate the Ruthlandian All-Stars by rallying in the bottom of the ninth for two runs and a 3-2 victory. The TU Stars have now won six of the seven All-Star Games between the two leagues. Stanley Ross (Ranford) forced in the tying run when he walked C Juanito Luque (Arlon) with the bases full. SS Scooter Perez (Mahaska) then won the game with a deep drive to center over everybody's head to score RF Helmut Gracyzk (Midway) from third base with the winning run. Ross took the loss, while Alec DiMaggio (Ozarka) got the win with a 1-2-3 ninth.

Ruthlandia took a 1-0 lead in the opening inning when RF Stan Cuccinello (Eastshore) singled with two away and was doubled in by 1B Phil Gravelli (Belair Beach). The RU Stars scored again in the second frame on a solo homer by 3B Jimmy Holman (Marston) to go in front 2-0. The TU Stars finally got on the scoreboard in the sixth when CF Wayne McDonald (Oxford) singled and scored on Gracyzk's triple. Graczyk of the Midway Wolves was voted the game's outstanding player. He was the only player with two hits in the game. Tycobbia outhit Ruthlandia 6 to 5. The TU hurlers fanned five and walked one in the game, while Ruthlandia pitchers had nine strikeouts and issued four walks, two of them very costly. Both runs in the ninth were unearned. SS Russ Russell (Cold Creek) misplayed a ground ball with two outs and prolonged the inning and gave Tycobbia its chance to win.

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 17, 2007

2007 Ruthlandian North Division Final Standings

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 17, 2007

Big Surprise, Ancona Wins RU North Crown

Best Team BA - Ranford .275
Most HR - Taranto 225
Most Runs - Taranto 828
Best Team ERA - Far Mountain 3.17 ERA
Best Defense - Valmara .977 FA

Worst Team BA - Far Mountain .250
Fewest HR - Far Mountain 127
Fewest Runs - Far Mountain 648
Worst Team ERA - Taranto 4.46 ERA
Worst Defense - Far Mountain .969 FA

What a year it has been for Ancona manager Manny Mickens. His Red Elephants rose up from sixth place last year and won the RU North pennant this year. They finished 7 games up on second place Ranford, 11 games ahead of the defending division champs, the Taranto Tars and 16 in front of the fourth place Valmara Vipers. Ancona won the flag with an amazing second half run. The Red Elephants were 54-18 over the final three months of the season.

Ancona (94-60) did it with several key free agents and a well-rounded team with a good blend of hitting and pitching. Heading up Mickens' strong mound corps were All-Star Vern Vidmar (20-9 2.32), Sean Stone (18-12 3.37), Dave Webb (17-12 3.23) and Yannis Vardakis (10-6 3.77). At the plate the Red Elephants depended on CF Tavi Vakros (.327/19 HR/64 RBI/120 R), LF Louie DiMucci (.290/26 HR/95 RBI) and 1B Johnny Lee Harder (.295/20 HR/81 R).

Page Satcher at Ranford (87-67) didn't have the pitching to compete with the Red Elephants, but he did have the hitters. The Bulls had the best team batting average in the division, spearheaded by All-Star 2B Jesse Goodwin (.320/29 HR/117 RBI/95 R) and 1B Billy Massengale (.352/30 HR/104 RBI/105 R). On the hill Satcher had a good group of starters in Chris Bernhoffer (17-15 3.50), All-Star Stanley Ross (19-14 2.88) and Charley Aston (17-11 3.90).

In Taranto (83-71), it was the same old story for Tommaso Lazzorda's Tars - not enough pitching. His club had the worst pitching in the division, but they packed a lot of power in their bats. Taranto's best run producers were 2B Ed Miles (.323/28 HR/90 RBI/107 R) and LF Tommy Lee Hendley (.289/37 HR/110 RBI/82 R). Pitching-wise Sal Pascioni (17-9 3.34) had a great year considering he has to pitch in the Palazzo di Sport, one of the smallest ballparks in the IPA. Angelo Zinacola (22-12 4.31) won 20 games, but he was helped by the Tars bats quite a few times in the season. Give Lazzorda another quality pitcher and he would have won the title again this year.

J. Jackson Samuel in Valmara (78-76) suffered the same fate as Lazzorda in Taranto, not enough quality arms. New free agent signee Darryl Vannoy (13-16 4.02) had his first off-year and did not perform as expected. In 2006, he was 19-11 with a 3.40 ERA at Valka and led them to the TU South crown. Russell Greene (16-14 3.80) and Vanya Vasylenko (13-13 4.23) were the Vipers biggest winners. But like Taranto, the Vipers could smack the ball. 1B Masaichi Okawa (.301/28 HR/119 RBI/110 R) had an excellent year. Veteran 2B Floyd Vinson (.294/5 HR/45 RBI/97 R) still handles the bat pretty well, but while newcomer 3B Joe Courtney (.277/24 HR/92 RBI/89 R) did not put up the numbers he did in Oxford, he was a solid hitter and made the All-Star team.

The Glasco Athletics (77-77) guided by McDuffie Hughes to the fifth spot in the RU North 17 games off the pace. Hughes only has average talent in Glasco. Off-season pickup CF Ike Plunkett (.304/27 HR/85 RBI/88 R) did well, but might be showing his age at 34. Another expensive free agent acquisition RF Bailey Norcross missed half of the season due to injury and batted only .238 with 12 homers and 35 RBIs. SS George Ferguson (.279/29 HR/97 RBI) chipped in some offense, too. Hard-luck Mike Larsen (14-16 2.61) pitched very well, but suffered from little run support. Danny Stewart (14-16 3.86) also did well at times.

The sixth place Far Mountain Redhawks (73-81) had the best pitching in the division, but conversely, the worst hitting, too. Not a good formula for success. Skipper Alex Groveland got a lot of mileage out of starters Leroy Hill (17-17 2.85), Robby Kelly (14-13 3.32) and free agent from Turon, James Longstreet (12-19 3.30). They were his workhorses, but they all needed more offense. All-Star 2B Duane Parsons (.305/29 HR/86 RBI/87 R) was Groveland's only dependable bat with some help from SS Keith Wasik (.299/9 HR/74 RBI/69 R).

In LaGrange (71-83) Foxy Jimison has two All-Stars, but not much else. C Otto Kronvath (.255/33 HR/111 RBI/82 R) and CF Karl Perret (.307/16 HR/69 RBI/111 R) both had good years as did SS Bill Nilsen (.288/21 HR/82 RBI/88 R). Hank Laccaseigne (11-13 3.81) was the ace of the staff, Hunk Sweitzer (11-15 4.21) was inconsistent, but had his moments and free agent Charles Darby (8-16 4.49) made a dismal first impression.

For the fourth consecutive season the Kilkenny Cats (68-86) wallowed in the cellar and completed the year 26 games out of first place. Manager Kieran McKenna has never finished higher than sixth in the standings. Poor hitting and so-so pitching won't get you far in the IPA or anywhere else. The Cats pitching corps did fairly well with Roger Davidson (20-16 3.83) winning 20 games. Free agent Gregg Neal (15-16 3.39) had a decent season considering the bad run support. Like-wise for Steve Ohlinger (14-12 3.85). Free agent second sacker Francisco Abreu (.282/22 HR/79 RBI/75 R) was the best man in the batting order. CF Happy Janish (.279/11 HR/38 RBI/90 R) also helped out a little bit.

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 17, 2007

2007 Ruthlandian South Division Final Standings

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 17, 2007

Ruthlandian Union South Division

St. John Back On Top, Wins RU South Flag
Longtime powers Belair Beach and Claxton stumbled a little and Valka fell into free agent oblivion in the 2007 Ruthlandian Union South race. That made way for division doormats St. John and Grand City to rise up and past them. The Crusaders, managed by Dickie Billings, won the pennant by 4 games over Grand City. Claxton dipped to third place, 6 games behind, Belair Beach was fourth and 7 games out, while vaunted Valka plunged to the basement, 26 games off the pace. St. John won the division in 2003. Since then they have been relegated to the division's lower rungs.

Best Team BA - Claxton .274
Most HR - Claxton 188
Most Runs - Claxton 800
Best Team ERA - Grand City 3.07
Best Team Defense - Belair Beach .978 FA

Worst Team BA - San Dimas .251
Fewest HR - Waleska 80
Fewest Runs - Valka 570
Worst Team ERA - Claxton 4.27
Worst Team Defense - Valka .967

1st - St. John Crusaders (89-65)
Dickie Billings, Manager
Good balance... hitting, scoring, pitching, fielding... top pitchers: Johnny Cole (16-11 3.08), Sterling Eccles (15-9 3.75), Teddy Garson (16-15 3.59), closer Ken Wheeler (6-2 1.83) with 35 saves, tops in IPA... top batters: CF Champ Grayson (.306/21 HR/72 RBI), 1B Abe Worthy (.309/12 HR/77 RBI), RF Clayton Luck (.304/9 HR/55 RBI/89 R).

2nd - Grand City Cybercats (85-69)
Torry Joseph, Manager
Outstanding pitching (3.07 ERA), first in the IPA... best pitchers: brilliant rookie Emmitt Yates (19-6 2.09), free agents Paul Felkner (22-12 3.40) from Summerland and Russ Courtney (13-13 2.96) from Blue Lake, closer Gerry Fisher (4-2 1.75)... poor hitting (.255)... best hitter free agent from Valka 1B Marlin Kiefer (.303/13 HR/65 RBI/77 R)... good defense (.976 FA).

3rd - Claxton Diamonds (83-71)
Stacy Engel, Manager
Fine hitting and power, tops in division... last in pitching (4.27 ERA), but has fair starters... good defense (.976 FA)... top bats: CF Dixie Baker (.273/37 HR/124 RBI/90 R), All-Star 1B Mike Luzzatti (.316/39 HR/106 RBI/112 R), RF Jackie Allemand (.276/22 HR/86 RBI)... best pitchers: All-Star Charlie Murphy (14-11 3.27), but faltered in second half, Paul Grange (16-15 3.98), Doug Torvik (13-12 3.91).

4th - Belair Beach Sunbirds (82-72)
Marty Pedroza, Manager
Lost 19-game winner Johnny Spears in free agency... great pitching dipped to below average this year (4.19 ERA)... Slim Mosley and Tiny Lindgren had down years... not much in hitting except in All-Star Phil Gravelli (.350/49 HR/146 RBI/112 R), who topped RU in homers and RBIs, All-Star Billy Martz (.324/16 HR/84 RBI/89 R) and C Little Jake Bungarooba (.281/18 HR/67 RBI/106 R)... top pitchers: Joe Schmidt (22-7 3.55), Slim Mosley (12-11 4.06) and Tiny Lindgren (14-13 4.47)... excellent defense (.978 FA), best in RU South.

5th - Waleska Westerners (78-76)
McGraw Johnson, Manager
Good pitching (3.50 ERA)... fair hitting, no power with only 80 home runs (32nd in RU)... just average defensively (.973 FA)... top hurlers: All-Star Wilson Whitmore (19-13 2.88), Nico Ravanelli (21-11 3.20), rookie Von Pearce (14-17 3.44)... best bat: SS Grant Betzer (.299/9 HR/76 RBI/72 R).

6th - Crystal Lake Crushers (73-81)
Herman "Baby" George, Manager
Little above average pitching (3.75 ERA)... fair hitting (.259 BA)... fair power (138 HR)... poor defense (.969 FA)... best pitchers: Pablo Orantes (17-13 3.56), Phil Varnado (12-19 3.69) and rookie closer Jeff Jernigan (6-7 2.73) with 26 saves... top batters: 2B Nelson Tolliver (.289/23 HR/73 RBI), CF Johnny Northern (.285/8 HR/45 RBI/97 R), free agent from East Point RF Jerry Lee Presley (.274/21 HR/88 RBI/88 R).

7th - San Dimas Rancheros (72-82)
Paco Banderos, Manager
Excellent pitching staff (3.28 ERA), 4th best ERA in RU... mediocre hitting (.251 BA) and power (102 HR)... average defense (.973 FA)... spent heavy in free agency... top pitchers: free agents Carl Schmitz (13-15 2.67) from Volusia and Ray Watson (10-15 3.38) from Belair Beach, Bobby Prince (14-15 3.21)... all suffered from poor run support... top batter: free agent 1B Ron Armstrong (.296/18 HR/66 RBI/76 R), a poor season for the ex-Sugar Valley Rattler.

8th - Valka Blackhawks (63-91)
Jaan Kurus, Manager
Valka was decimated by free agency... lost pitchers Daryl Vannoy (13-16 4.02) to Valmara, Bobby Karu (22-13 2.98) to South Fork and Tommy Ruffin (19-7 3.09) to Tuckanarra... combined they were 54-36 with their new clubs... pitching now only average (3.84 ERA)... hitting and power very poor with .254 BA and 87 homers... the Blackhawks could only score 570 runs, totally last in the entire IPA... defensively worst in the RU with a very poor .967 fielding average... best pitchers: Erke Tonisson (12-14 3.19), Aato Neetar (14-20 4.17) and free agent from East Point Jared Robillard (16-18 3.81)... best bats: All-Star RF Jimmy Tremayne (.305/8 HR/48 RBI/65 R), who was leading the league at mid-season with a .380 mark and dropped off the map in the second half... 2B Mike Ellefsen (.272/19 HR/63 RBI/62 R) was the team batting leader.

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 17, 2007

2007 Ruthlandian Union East Division Final Standings

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 17, 2007

Ruthlandian Union East

Cold Creek Cops RU East Crown
The Cold Creek Catamounts closed with a rush and captured the 2007 RU East title. The Catamounts went 46-26 the last three months to overtake front-running Beechwood, Sugar Valley and Marston.

Best Team BA - Sugar Valley .281
Most HR - Beechwood 192
Most Runs - Beechwood 803
Best Team ERA - Cold Creek 3.26
Best Defense - Sugar Valley .978 FA

Worst Team BA - Cold Creek .263
Fewest HR - 84 Belle Plaine 84
Fewest Runs - Marston 711
Worst Team ERA - Belle Plaine 4.48
Worst Defense - Beechwood .968 FA

1st - Cold Creek Catamounts (88-66)
T. Kelly Holmes, Manager
The Cats are a well-rounded ballclub with strong pitching, good power, adequate hitting and very good defense... 3.26 ERA (3rd), 149 homers (13th), .263 BA (17th), 750 runs (10th) and .977 FA (5th - tied)... two 20-game winners head up the staff... Kyle Peterson (20-12 3.50), Tommy Weeks (20-16 3.26), Peyton Saunders (12-15 3.62) and effective closer Russell Thurber (8-4 2.36)... Holmes has a solid line-up throughout with no weak sisters... RF Emile Stosha (.298/23 HR/105 RBI/121 R) leads the way... other good bats include All-Star SS Russ Russell (.293/12 HR/62 RBI/87 R), 1B Nat Mayakovsky (.321/21 HR/77 RBI), 2B Jade Hammett (.251/26 HR/76 RBI/84 R), free agent from Ancona C Bret Holden (.297/14 HR/81 RBI), CF Trip Holmes (.253/17 HR/73 RBI/93 R) and free agent from Tuckanarra LF Monty Draycott (.302/11 HR/56 RBI/83 R).

2nd - Sugar Valley Rattlers (84-70)
Gibson Bobkins, Manager
Sugar Valley can hit and score, but can't keep the other team off the scoreboard... The Rattlers sport a .281 team batting average (1st), hit 155 home runs (9th), scored 769 runs (7th) and a poor 4.26 ERA (26th)... Top-notch defense with a .978 FA (5th)... Top batters: LF Bruno DiPirro (.315/16 HR/118 RBI/92 R), C Hal Stevenson (.278/39 HR/105/81 R), 3B Flipper Bird (.283/29 HR/88 RBI/108 R), RF Dennis Kernell (.299/26 HR/70 RBI/72 R), CF Austen Conover (.321/5 HR/57 RBI/99 R) and SS Rafael Lemos (.292/14 HR/55 RBI/90 R)... Best pitchers: Jay Washington (17-15 3.68), Connie Ehrlichmann (17-10 3.80) and Ted Farentino (15-15 4.30).

3rd - Beechwood Bobcats (83-71)
Bret George, Manager
The Bobcats hit the ball often and with power... with a.271 BA (7th), 192 HR (2nd), score a lot of runs (803 - 2nd) and play poor defense (.968 FA)... have three quality starters: All-Star Wayne Baxley (21-10 3.21), Dek Jumonville (18-11 3.18) and free agent from Claxton Terry Kuznetsov (12-14 4.33)... but Kuznetsov struggled most of the year... top batsmen: SS Jared McCarthy (.291/32 HR/105 RBI/85 R), 1B Cristian Avajos (.261/27 HR/89 RBI) and CF Clifton Czabo (.309/19 HR/84 RBI/96 R).

4th - Marston Nine (81-73)
Johnny Walters, Manager
Marston has a better than average team in most respects... hit well with a .269 BA (10th)... average power with 143 HRs (15th) and scoring with 711 runs (16th)... good pitching with a 3.66 ERA (12th) and quality defense with a .976 FA... Best hitters: All-Star 3B Jimmy Holman (.287/25 HR/96 RBI/85 R), SS Don Nichols (.275/23 HRj/88 RBI/95 R), 1B Pat Farris (.362/12 HR/52 RBI/77 R) had the best batting average in the IPA, free agent from Rolling Hills RF Bob Havilland (.286/25 HR/76 RBI) and free agent from White River LF Lyn Taryn (.276/19 HR/79 RBI)... Top twirlers: free agent from San Alejo Ernie Arredondo (19-9 2.76) and Mark Falzone (14-14 3.84).

5th - Eastshore Elegants (78-76)
Killer Brewster, Manager
Fine hitting team with .268 BA (13th) with lots of firepower, 766 runs (8th) and 175 home runs (5th), average pitching (4.00 ERA) and defense (.972 FA)... Best batters: All-Star RF Stan Cuccinello (.295/30 HR/107 RBI)92 R), All-Star LF Darrel Alston (.296/31 HR/80 RBI/91 R), CF Ron Dizon (.288/32 HR/91 RBI/84 R), 1B Al Joyner (.265/32 HR/86 RBI),.. on the hill Brewster's best are Thomas Williams (17-15 3.07), Freddie Duhon (13-13 3.84), Eddie Lance (13-21 4.00) and rookie Sherm Jarvis (14-7 4.39).

6th - Wynnamac Sundowners (72-82)
Matt Donnelly, Manager
Wynnamac is a so-so ballclub with a .265 BA (15th), average in scoring with 723 runs (14th), but poor in power with only 125 home runs (24th) and a 4.20 ERA (24th)... average defensively with a .974 FA... top bats: All-Star CF Dalton Leeds (.305/17 HR/74 RBI/97 R), free agent from Waleska LF Big Hoss Burkhalter (.291/19 HR/90 RBI/88 R), 1B Nate Cockroft (.295/18 HR/73 RBI/78 R), free agent from Turon 2B J. L. Lawrence (.278/15 HR/71 RBI/81 R) and free agent from Colfax SS Warren Lee (.279/13 HR/56 RBI/76 R)... on the mound the best pitchers are Skeets Hobart (16-8 2.60), free agent from Cold Creek Ronald Blevins (17-11 4.07) and free agent from Taranto Lefty Paddison (12-20 3.46).

7th - Belle Plaine Musketeers (69-85)
Boo Ladrieux, Manager
The Musketeers are not very good with lousy pitching (4.48 ERA - 31st), no power (84 HR - 31st), poor run production (729 - 22nd) and fair fielding (.971 FA)... however the Muskies hit for a good average (.270 - 8th)... top bats: free agent from Elnora All-Star LF Quincy Peterson (.294/31 HR/123 RBI/87 R), CF Cris Willis (.293/8 HR/61 RBI/79 R) and free agent from Turon SS John Paul Trevenot (.278/7 HR/58 RBI/74 R)... Top pitchers: Jorge Bonilla (13-21 4.05) and closer Denny Reynaud (6-8 2.08) with 24 saves and 57 relief appearances.

8th - Elnora All-Stars (65-89)
Zoggy White, Manager
Elnora did it again, going from the penthouse in 2006 (2nd) to the outhouse in 2007 (8th), just like they went from first place in 2004 to seventh in 2005... strong contact hitting with a .275 BA (5th), average power with 140 HR (16th), can score runs (728 - 12th), not so good on the mound with a poor 4.19 ERA (22nd) and below average in defense (.970 FA)... the All-Stars have three pretty good starters in Taylor Gibbs (18-14 3.86), All-Star Warren Paul (16-18 3.59), who slumped during the second half of the season, and Matty Wilkerson (11-12 3.34)... two fine hitters in 2B Dmitri Vrotsos (.295/26 HR/112 RBI/67 R) and RF Lloyd Voss (.345/17 HR/80 RBI/101 R)... and two pretty fair performers in SS Allen Black (.260/18 HR/80 RBI/79 R) and CF Rick Mulloy (.297/19 HR/69 RBI/89 R).

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 17, 2007

2007 Ruthlandian Union West Division Final Standings

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 17, 2007

Ruthlandian Union West

Stoner and Colfax Buy Way to the Top in RU West

Free agents made a big inpact on the Ruthlandian West race this season as the Stoner Stars and Colfax Blasters opened up their pocket books and took charge. Stoner edged out the Blasters by one game to garner the division crown. Rocky Rapids finished in the third spot in the standings, 6 games off the pace, while Volusia ended up a disappointing fourth after losing three stars to other clubs. The Vigilantes ended up 12 games back in the chase.

Best BA - Middlefield and Colfax .269
Most HR - Middlefield 190
Most Runs - Middlefield 751
Best ERA - Stoner 3.35
Best Defense - Middlefield .983

Worst BA - Fort Benton .241
Fewest HR - Rocky Rapids 107
Fewest Runs - Fort Benton 620
Worst ERA - Middlefield 4.72
Worst Defense - Fort Benton .969

1st - Stoner Star (86-68)
Willie Dickens, Manager

The Stoner Stars made a gigantic leap from last place to first place in just one year. The Stars won a very close race with the Colfax Blasters of Clem Rogers. Stoner ran up a lead early in the chase. lost it in August and managed to surpass Colfax with a good September. The Stars were 9-6 for the month while the Blasters were 5-10 and fell out of first in the last few weeks.

Both clubs were bolstered this year by free agents. The Stars took the flag by one game. They added three newcomers: All-Star SP Ted Chambers (19-12 3.06) and SP Aydan Havilland (16-13 3.69) from Kenwood. An outstanding hitter and shortstop Karol Zodoka (.302/29 HR/102 RBI/88 R) was acquired from East Point. Add in holdovers All-Star C Benny Stern (.314/32 HR/111 RBI/88 R) and RF Dutch Rheinecker (.280/23 HR/66 RBI) and Dickens had a contender. The Stars are a well-balanced team with good hitting, good power, average defense and ranked fifth in the RU with a 3.35 ERA.

2nd - Colfax Blasters
Clem Rogers, Manager

Colfax signed 2B Niles Stanton (.302/39 HR/97 RBI/83 R) and CF Ryan Raines (.264/23 HR/89 RBI/88 R). Stanton formerly played for Colchester and Raines for Volusia. Coupled with All-Star C Tino Leonetti (.306/7 HR/56 HR) and LF Paul Coniglio (.273/22 HR/73 RBI/89 R), they gave Rogers both improved defense and solid offense. However, it was the pitching staff that set the Blasters apart. All-Star Ilya Szabo (23-9 2.14) and All-Star Jasper LaForge (2015 3.13) anchored the starting rotation with help from long reliever Daric Jacoby (6-0 2.25) and closer Dallas Somerville (6-8 4.00). Somerville had 31 saves and Jacoby made 41 relief appearances.

3rd - Rocky Rapids Snappers (80-74)
Ryan Noland, Manager

Rocky Rapids was another also-ran that leaped from sixth place to third place. Ryan Nolan added Charley Boyer (19-7 1.70) from Ancona and Boyer blossomed under Nolan's tutelage and led the IPA with the lowest ERA. Ernie Watkins (16-12 3.50) gave the Snappers two frontline hurlers. In his batting order Noland has All-Star Scott Camden (.280/26 HR/93 RBI/99 R) as his main threat, but he also has six steady hitters that are platooned at several positions.

4th - Volusia Vigilantes (74-80)
Alonso Feliz, Manager

Volusia lost the heart and soul of its team through free agency. 23-game winner Carl Schmitz, along with two .300 hitters and good glove men, CF Ryan Raines and 2B Scooter Perez. As a team the Vigilantes hit only .245 (31st) with RF Briscoe Crowder (.289/17 HR/60) the only decent threat. Skipper Alfonso Feliz still has a good pitching corps with strong 3.27 ERA (7th), lead by Todd Wolfe (19-15 3.03), Kirk Beckmann (15-15 2.89) and Hernando Espaderos (11-20 3.86).

5th - Middlefield Roosters (69-85)
Smitty Michaels, Manager

Middlefield also took quite a tumble, too. The Roosters fell from RU West champs down to 5th primarily because of the loss of superstar 2B Charlie Gamble and Dave Webb, a consistent and very good starter. Manager Smitty Michaels lost the two stars and also saw his poor pitching staff get even worse. Middlefield compiled an atrocious 4.72 ERA, absolutely last in the Ruthlandian Union. Jamie Hicks (20-16 3.66) was the Roosters only quality pitcher. However Michaels’ crew can still hit the ball quite well (.269 BA) with the likes of 2B Sammy Ragsdale (.297/36 HR/110 RBI/110 R), rookie 1B J. D. Earnshaw (.288/29 HR/90 RBI), C Mike Kanjorski (.313/17 HR/68 RBI/80 R) and RF Cecil Clark (.278/22 HR/80 RBI). The Roosters ripped 190 homers (3rd) and led the RU with 751 runs.

6th - Forest City Lumberjacks (68-86)
Rob Jackson, Manager

It been quite some time since Forest City has had any success, a first-place finish in 2002. For the past five seasons they have been stuck in the second division. Manager Rob Jackson has only two quality arms in Al Thibaut (17-17 3.40) and Knucks Nomellini (15-18 3.53) and three good bats in 1B Andy Doiron (.296/18 HR/92 RBI), LF Joe Judlin (.310/19 HR/57 RBI/79 R) and C Otis Ott (.259/19 HR/79 RBI). Forest City just doesn’t have the talent to compete in the IPA.

7th - Sligo Rovers (64-90)
Eddie Keys, Manager

The Sligo Rovers skippered by Eddie Keys have decent power with 155 homers (9th), but don’t hit much for average with a .256 BA (24th). On the mound the team compiled a 4.05 ERA (20th). Keys’ best performers are pitcher Billy Brewster (14-14 3.92), RF Fred Collins (.305/32 HR/89 RBI/93 R) and CF James Yardley (.285/29 HR/94 RBI/77 R). The Rovers have had only successful season in the IPA. They finished third in 2004.

8th - Fort Benton Defenders
Robbie Brooks, Manager

Life is tough in Fort Benton. For the fourth time in six years the Defenders finished dead last in the RU West. The other two seasons they were 7th and 8th. Fort Benton doesn’t hit well, pitch well or field well. Brooks only has two fairly good pitchers in Frankie Jardine (16-19 2.99) and Hec Skurgan (12-18 4.06) and only two decent position players in C Todd Somerset (.283/14 HR/67 RBI) and CF Norbert Tarver (.292/13 HR/56 RBI/82 R).

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 17, 2007

2007 Tycobbian Union North Division Final Standings

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 17, 2007

Tycobbian Union North Division

Oxford TU North Champs, Mahaska Runner-up

Oxford and Mahaska fought each other all season long and when the dust cleared off the diamond, Campy Roy's Red Caps captured their 4th TU North title with a three-game bulge over the Haymakers. The Fairfax Frogs and Hartsdale Hellcats were 8 games back in a third place tie.

Best Team BA: Hartsdale .281
Most HR: Hartsdale 207
Most Runs: Hartsdale 810
Best Team ERA: Luxora 3.18
Best Defense: Fairfax .976 FA

Worst Team BA: White River .243
Fewest HR: Luxora 76
Fewest Runs: Fairfax and Luxora 666
Worst Team ERA: White River 4.59
Worst Team Defense: Mahaska .968 FA

1st – Oxford Red Caps
Campy Roy, Manager

The Oxford Red Caps are a talented ball club, strong in batting, pitching and power. Heading up the pitching rotation are All-Star Dan Phillips (24-10 2.45), Boomer Belinsky (15-13 2.88) and Nicky Nicholson (14-15 3.29). The Red Caps are rated fourth best in the TU with a fine 3.30 ERA. At the plate Roy has a solid core led by All-Star CF Wayne McDonald (.337/30 HR/94 RBI/89 R) and 3B Jim Pulaski (.320/18 HR/49 RBI/60 R). C Whitey Cosgrove (.277/17 HR/63 RBI) and 1B Timmy Binford (.277/11 HR/52 RBI/76 R) also add some offense. As a team Oxford is batting .275 (4th) with 162 homers (9th).

2nd – Mahaska Haymakers (88-66)
Rusty Tanussa, Manager

Manager Rusty Tanussa led the Haymakers to their best season ever this year. It is the first time they ever finished above the .500 mark. Mahaska can match Oxford in the pitching department, but falls short of the Red Caps otherwise. Free Agent Johnny Spears (22-4 1.74) from Belair Beach had a remarkable season and was well worth the money. Jeff Nieman (10-7 2.63) left the Arlon Champions and signed with the Haymakers this season. He was effective as a starter along with vet Boomerang Hines (16-15 3.54). Another vital off-season pickup was SS Scooter Perez (.316/6 HR/63 RBI/98 R), who hit well and fielded brilliantly. LF Chuck Hill (.309/24 HR/83 RBI), a free agent formerly with Sugar Valley, revitalized his career at age 38 with a solid season. RF Earl Giles (.271/22 HR/77 RBI) provided much-needed firepower. He was with Cape Coral in 2006.

3rd – Fairfax Frogs (83-71)
Harry Buckley, Manager

After two dismal years, the Fairfax Frogs returned to the upper echelon in the Tycobbian North and wound up in a deadlock for third place with the powerful Hartsdale Hellcats. Harry Buckley had two fine starters in Scotty Marshall (14-5 2.33) and Wally Tidwell (12-17 2.33), who kept the Frogs in most games. Late season acquisition Andrei Marsiske (7-3 2.76) was real strong after joining the club in August. Closer Robby Lee Mason (8-7 3.52) notched 23 saves. Tidwell and Marsiske were free agents. 2B Wes Hickox (.273/29 HR/88 RBI/94 R), RF Dane Wesner (.294/22 HR/71 RBI/80 R) and CF Tony Kraus (.275/8 HR/46 RBI/74 R) all were productive with the bats. Fairfax is the best defensive club in division with a .976 fielding percentage.

3rd – Hartsdale Hellcats (83-71)
Zim Donner, Manager

Hartsdale has average pitching with a 3.92 ERA (20th), but carries some mighty big sticks to the plate. The Hellcats are third with a .281 batting average with 207 roundtrippers (2nd) and 810 runs scored (3rd). Zim Donner is blessed with the bats and paced by 1B Tom Brabant (.314/35 HR/114RBI/86 R), LF Rob Welch (.281/35 HR/101 RBI/83 R), RF Mark Buchanan (.308/31 HR/94 RBI/91 R), SS Jud Turchin (.317/22 HR/79 R/1117 R), 3B Kendry Moulton (.323/28 HR/84 RBI/91) and CF Mac Faulkner (.305/18 HR/69 RBI/72) are as good a group as you'll find in the IPA. The Hellcats feature some good starting pitchers in Phil Reed (16-15 2.95), Mark Sakelaris (17-9 3.89) and Ben Manderson (15-15 3.64), but Donner needs help in the bullpen.

5th – Luxora Zorros (80-74)
Alejandro Rodrigo, Manager

As in years past, Luxora's Alejandro Rodrigo had good pitching in 2007, but still suffers from a lack of hitting and power. The Z's registered an excellent 3.18 ERA (2nd) and have four quality starters in Elio Laurente (21-9 2.67), Fernando Fernandes (14-9 2.79), Antonio Anaya (12-9 3,00) and Anthony Glaser (17-15 3.56). Rodrigo has solid relief as well with Ricardo Topez (5-9 3.36) with 30 saves. In the offensive department the Zorros batted only .259 (17th) with only 76 home runs (32nd). Luxora's top hitters are C Sollie Rees (.271/11 HR/81 RBI), 3B Pablo Santa Cruz (.310/12 HR/75 RBI/99 R) and CF Lacey Tompkins (.292/10 HR/69 RBI/65 R).

6th – Blue Lake Blue Sox (73-81)
Cobb Tyson, Manager

The Blue Lake Blue Sox have good power, but little else. Cobb Tyson's club belted 165 homers (7th), but hit only .261 (16th). On the mound they had a 3.76 ERA (16th). The Blue Sox have two outstanding batters in Tad Kirklin (.334/49 HR/149 RBI/108 R), who had a great year, leading the IPA with 149 RBIs and 49 home runs. SS Loren Babcock (.314/32 HR/91 RBI/106 R) also had a productive year. Tyson's top arms were starters Happy McManus (3-8 3.03), Pat Grange (15-19 3.34) and Benny DeBartolo (15-9 3.93). In the bullpen Blue Lake got good work from Dan Whitfield (4-5 2.91).

7th – North Hills Hawks (69-85)
Hub Carlson, Manager

The best thing about Hub Carlson's North Hills Hawks is its pitching, which is only average. The Hawks pitching staff put up a 3.91 ERA (19th) led by Johnny Bond (18-14 3.42), Ben Dewberry (14-16 3.21) and Irv McDaniel (13-12 3.58). As far as batting, the Hawks are woefully inept with a pathetic .248 batting average (31st) with only 114 home runs (29th). Carlson's best bats are LF Rick Vaughn (.311/15 HR/50 RBI), 2B Jimmy Ryland (.307/11 HR/60 RBI), OF Kevin Schmidt (.285/19 HR/64 RBI) and RF Chris Pruitt (.248/20 HR/71 RBI).

8th - White River Rascals (61-93)
John Randison, Manager

Not a lot to cheer about in White River. The Rascals have never finished higher than 5th and have ended up in the cellar three times. Lousy pitching and lousy hitting will do that to you every time. John Randison's team chalked up a 4.59 ERA (28th), hit only .243 (32nd), but hit with a little power. The Rascals knocked 145 roundtrippers (18th). Only two respectable players on the squad. Mick Cronyn with a 16-18 record and a 3.66 ERA and SS Riley Cloy with a .270 BA, 27 homers, 80 RBIs and 111 runs.

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 17, 2007

2007 Tycobbian Union South Division Final Standings

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 17, 2007

Tycobbian Union South Division

Colchester Elites Easy Winner in TU South

It was no contest in the Tycobbian South pennant chase this season. The Colchester Elites had it their way as they romp to the crown by 15 games over the defending IPA Pro Cup champions, the Turon Typhoons. San Alejo was a distant third and trailed by 26 games in third place. Cape Coral was in the fourth spot in the standings and wound up 27 games off the pace.

Best Team BA: Arroyo Grande .272
Most HR: Colchester 164
Most Runs: Colchester 815
Best Team ERA: Turon 3.52
Best Team Defense: Ginza .977 FA

Worst Team BA: Turon .251
Fewest HR: Turon and San Alejo 122
Fewest Runs: Summerland 597
Worst Team ERA: Arroyo Grande 5.01
Worst Team Defense: Cape Coral .966 FA

1st – Colchester Elites (95-59)
Robbie Wilbertson, Manager

When you have five All-Stars playing for you, it makes your job a lot easier. Just ask Uncle Robbie Wilbertson of the Colchester Elites, the new champions of the the TU South. On the hill Colchester had two All-Stars in Jimmy Simmons (21-12 2.55) and Frank Payne (22-12 3.50) and another quality starter in Keith Cline (12-8 3.66). In the batter's box were three more All-Stars: CF Douglas Tilford (.346/20 HR/100 RBI/111 R), 1B Harlan Roscoe (.286/36 HR/127 RBI) and RF Teddy Blanton (.362/28 HR/85 RBI/63 R). Blanton only played sparingly after May due to injury, but he had a great two months.

2nd – Turon Typhoons (80-74)
Ashton “Whitey” Richburn, Manager

It looks like the Turon Typhoons blew themselves out in 2006 when they won the IPA Pro Cup. Whitey Richburn didn't have the same ball club in 2007. Star pitcher James Longstreet and two solid regulars in 3B Eric Hix and C Todd Somerset defected to other teams and were greatly missed. However, Turon signed free agent Anthony Nardone (20-12 2.34) from Taranto and got a great big bargain. Third-year man Ronnie Zetterberg (17-7 3.81) blossomed this season and became of the Typhoons mainstays. Scotty Boswell (11-17 3.53) had an unsteady year, but did well at times. The bats are Richburn's main problem. 1B Johnny Carducci (.305/26 HR/80 RBI), a former Silver Slugger Award winner, had a down year for him. Two others had moderate success: RF Andy Porter (.260/19 HR/73 RBI) and free agent 3B Roberto Vargas (.309/17 HR/55 RBI).

3rd – San Alejo Montaneros (69-85)
Lando Peceda, Manager

There were only two good teams in the TU South in 2007, the rest were bad to mediocre. The TU South was one of the weaker divisions in the IPA with only two teams above the .500 mark. San Alejo was a powerhouse in its first two seasons, but has fallen from grace during the past four years. Manager Lando Peceda has three quality starters in Alberto Herrera (12-18 3.13), Roberto Concepcion (9-10 2.92) and Felipe Branco (14-19 3.73) and two standout hitters in LF Dennis Riley (.332/21 HR/75 RBI/97 R) and Miles Shufford (.319/39 HR/107 RBI/89 R), both picked up as free agents in the last two years. Riley has been in the league five seasons, formerly at Belle Plaine and Marston. Shufford is a five-year veteran, who played previously with LaClaire and Marston.

4th – Cape Coral Hurricanes (68-86)
Huggy Miller, Manager

Cape Coral is accustomed to being near the top of the TU South standings and has won the division crown twice, but slipped way below .500 and fell to fourth place this season. Manager Huggy Miller has one superb pitcher in Cody Burg (15-11 2.06), a five-time All-Star and Pitcher of the Year. Frank Wells (10-15 3.02) is a seven-year vet and solid starter, but has suffered the last two years at Valka and Cape Coral, due to poor run support. In his first five seasons that wasn't a problem at Bayview. In the hitting department the Hurricanes are led by 2B Hoshi Sato (.291/24 HR/73 RBI/90 R), 1B Sammy Harding (.261/11 HR/79 RBI) and RF Kippy Doyle (.269/22 HR/72 RBI).

5th – Ginza Ninjas (63-91)
Huroko Uchiyama, Manager

Ginza's only success was in its initial season in the IPA, when it wound up second in the division and went to the 2001 Pro Cup finals and lost to Volusia of the Ruthlandian Union. Since then the Ninjas have been a mid-lvel ball club under skipper Huroko Uchiyama. Ginza usually has decent pitching, but very little in the way of bats. The top pitchers this year were six-year veteran Carl Trebek (14-10 3.38), who is strong year after year, and rookie closer Ernie Teague (7-6 3.12), who chalked up 24 saves. Only one hitter to speak of: 1B Toshiro Nomura (.280/18 HR/69 RBI).

6th – Arroyo Grande Suns (62-92)
Jean-Luc Marchand, Manager

The Arroyo Grande Suns have been a weak team since their inception, never finishing higher than sixth. The Suns only claim to fame occurred in 2005, when they set an IPA record with an astounding 260 home runs, but they have since lost most of the sluggers that set that lofty mark through free agency. Arroyo Grande still hits the ball well with a .272 team batting average (5th), but teams hit .282 against them. Manager Jean-Luc Marchand has poor pitching with an astronomical 5.06 ERA. Valmara free agent Danny Blauser (10-18 4.08) is his only pitcher of note. Given the fact that the Casa de Beisbol is one of the smallest stadiums in the IPA, Blauser's ERA is quite good. The Suns do have several hitters who benefit from the close fences: RF Marcel Vidrine (.297/35 HR/120 RBI/86 R), LF Jet Kazmarek (.349/ 15 HR/97 RBI/103 R), rookie 1B Sherm Miles (.298/24 HR/81 RBI/78 R) and SS Chuck Hankins (.268/17 HR/73 RBI/103 R). Kazmarek won his sixth batting title this year and is a career .368 hitter. He was signed as a free agent from Valmara this season. The only year Kazmarek failed to win the batting crown was his rookie year in 2001. Hankins came from Bay St. Clair two years ago.

7th – Summerland Sunsets (61-93)
Will Hackett, Manager

The Summerland Sunsets peaked in 2004 and 2005 with a third place and second place finish. The last two years Will Hackett's team has reverted back to the bottom of the division. Free agency cost the Sunsets a fine pitcher in Paul Felkner and a solid first baseman in Karl Van Kooten. Summerland's best performers are just average players. Toshiya Tamura (15-18 3.49) and Ken Olson are Hackett's best hurlers and RF Ed Holt (.272/20 HR/84 RBI) is his only run producer.

8th – Southport Sun Sox (60-94)
Charley Oscar, Manager

The famine continues in Southport. The Sun Sox made the first division in its first season in the IPA, but have wallowed in seventh and eighth place ever since. Charley Oscar signed one of the great hitter in the IPA this season, but it didn't really change anything. 2B Charlie Gamble (.283/33 HR/88 RBI/90) had a good year, but down considerably from the numbers he usually puts up. Lifetime Gamble sports a .312 batting average and averages 46 homers and 125 RBIs yearly. Summerland traded for a good first baseman Eddie Lamar (.295/21 HR/85 RBI/87 R), who produced well for Oscar and the Sun Sox. Summerland also added a good bat in C Fats Dalton (.294/21 Hr/70 RBI) via a trade with Cape Coral. On the mound Southport really suffers with a gaudy 4.96 team ERA (31st). Oscar's best is six-year veteran Leland Shaddock (13-21 4.84), who has had fair success with Ranford and Elnora in previous years.

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 17, 2007

2007 Tycobbian Union East Division Final Standings

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 17, 2007

Tycobbian Union East Division

Tuckanarra Skims by Ozarka, Takes TU East Title

It was a year-long battle between the Tuckanarra Blue Jays and the Ozarka Naturals in the Tycobbian East. It went down to the last day of the season before it was decided. The Blue Jays were triumphant by one scant game. Coming in third and 8 games back were the Red Bluff Red Sox. Rounding out the first division was East Point, which was 14 games off the pace in fourth place.

Best Team BA: Ozarka .283
Most HR: Red Bluff 176
Most Runs: Ozarka 816
Best Team ERA: Tuckanarra 3.24
Best Team Defense: Tuckanarra and Ozarka .978 FA

Worst Team BA: High Mesa .256
Fewest HR: Hillsboro 123
Fewest Runs: Hillsboro 634
Worst Team ERA: Midway 4.81
Worst Team Defense: Hillsboro, Midway, Red Bluff, South Fork .975 FA

1st – Tuckanarra Blue Jays (94-60)
Carlton "Lefty" Stevens, Manager

Pitching is the name of the game in Tuckanarra. Blue Jay skipper Lefty Stevens was a magnificent pitcher during his illustrious industrial league career and he has crafted his mound corps into a very good one. Headed up by two All-Stars, Titus Bristow (20-9 2.35) and Tommy Ruffin (19-7 3.09), Tuckanarra has compiled a 3.24 ERA (3rd). Completing the impressive rotation are Roy Spence (19-7 3.23) and Delaney Elliott (16-14 3.98). The Blue Jays are not much with the bats though. Stevens' top hitters are 3B Cameron Kamara (.259/20 HR/81 RBI/67 R), CF Earl O'Brian (.253/13 HR/76 RBI/94 R) and 2B Duncan Renwick ( .260/16 HR/68 RBI/67 R). To get sufficient run production Stevens manipulates his line-up on a daily basis and platoons quite often. Tuckanarra was excellent defensively with a .978 fielding percentage (1st – tied).

2nd – Ozarka Naturals (93-61)
Joe Mac Carney, Manager

Statistically, it's hard to see how Ozarka failed to win its second consecutive division pennant. The well-balanced Nats hit .283 (2nd) and outscored everybody with 816 runs (1st), while registering a solid 3.46 ERA (7th). They were strong on defense as well with a .978 FA (1st – tied). Leading the batters were All-Star 3B Nathan Farrell (.322/34 HR/111 RBI/126 R), 2B Todd Chadwick (.289/25 HR/77 RBI/112 R), SS Gil Lantz (.321/12 HR/77 RBI/84 R) and part-timer LF Vic Weinstein (.332/13 HR/54 RBI/51 R). On the hill manager Joe Mac Carney has three strong starters in All-Star Alec DiMaggio (20-17 2.49), Rene Gautier (20-8 3.76) and Archie Lemon (19-7 3.20).

3rd – Red Bluff Red Sox (86-68)
Mack Connery, Manager

Red Bluff was another good, all-around team in 2007. After winning three division championship 2003-2005, the Red Sox slipped out of sight to sixth place last year, but they came back this season with a good blend of pitching (3.49 ERA – 8th), hitting (.264 BA – 11th) and power (176 home runs – 5th). At the plate Red Bluff was powered by RF Tony Scalise (.281/29 HR/103 RBI/87 R), 3B Tommy Klegg (.255/36 HR/98 RBI/80 R), C Billy Zeller (.272/26 HR/86 RBI/72 R), All-Star SS Jose Aguilar (.293/15 HR/58 RBI/85 R) and part-time first baseman Jack O'Neal (.301/16 HR/59 RBI). The top Red Sox pitchers were Frank Beaudoin (17-12 3.09), John Dougherty (17-12 3.44), Ray Schiller (12-10 3.50) and Leonard Urban (10-8 3.70) . Urban doubled as a closer and sometimes spot starter. He registered 28 saves.

4th – East Point Panthers (80-74)
Griff Clarke, Manager

Over the years the East Point Panthers were known for hitting the ball out of the ballpark. To win, they had to outpower the opposition. Rarely did the Panthers get good pitching, but this season Griff Clarke managed to turn it around. A little improvement in ERA moved East Point up from seventh to fourth in the standings. The team ERA dipped from 5.07 to 4.13, mainly on the arms of Smokey Joe Carter (11-9 2.85) and Tommy Fuller (15-14 3.64). Zack Owens (17-15 4.29) also contributed to the improvement. Clarke has a wealth of good, solid journeyman hitters. He can start a quality hitter at every place in his line-up. All-Star 2B Jim Helwig (.273/25 HR/85 RBI), CF Joey Olson (.291/18 HR/82 RBI and 1B Denny Weidemeyer (.315/15 HR/73 RBI) are East Point's main run producers.

5th – South Fork Stallions (76-78)
Deroche "Lips" Leon, manager

South Fork won the division pennant its first two seasons, but hasn't made the first division since. The Stallions are in the middle of pack in the standings and also statistically. At the top of manager Lips Leon's pitching rotation are Bobby Karu (22-13 2.98) and Vince Paul (14-6 3.96). Karu was a great acquistion and came to South Fork from Valka as a free agent. The key batters on the ball club are LF Chris Krychevsky (.306/26 HR/101 RBI/89 R), CF Gary Horn (.304/19 HR/77 RBI/87 R), 1B Fran Grzanka (.306/16 HR/71 RBI/ 68 R) and SS Rolf Kellgren (.249/7 HR/46 RBI/103 R).

6th – Midway Wolves (68-86)
Cochise Chandler, Manager

The Midway Wolves have only made the .500 mark twice in its six years of existence. This past season was the worst the Wolves have ever experienced. Cochise Chandler's mound staff was grossly inadequate with a 4.81 ERA (30th). Only one of his pitchers was decent. That was Matty Shubert (13-16 4.05). Midway does have some talent with two All-Stars on the team, 1B Don Piper (.316/20 HR/88 RBI/79 R) and C Geronimo Paytah (.265/4 HR/72 RBI). The Wolves have two power hitters: RF Helmut Graczyk (.289/31 HR/107 RBI/86 R) and SS J. T. Edmonds (.275/28 HR/86 RBI/89 R).

7th – High Mesa Cowboys (67-87)
Frisky Franks, Manager

Times are hard in High Mesa. The Cowboys had great success in their inaugural season in 2002 by winning the IPA Pro Cup. They finished second in the TU East in season two. But since then, it has all been downhill with 2007 the worst ever. This past season was the first time High Mesa did not finish among the top four teams. Over the years the Cowboys have turned into a mediocre team and have lost the stars that brought them the title in 2002. They still hit homers, but Queen Ranch Stadium is one of smaller venues in the IPA. Unfortunately the Cowboys give up more homers than they hit, which is not a good trade-off. Franks top batters are 2B John Asbury (.286/31 HR/98 RBI/71 R), 1B Bobby Gunn (.299/35 HR/92 RBI/84 R), 3B Nat Thurlow (.292/29 HR/74 RBI) and LF Tommy Pfeffer (.263/18 HR/45 RBI). High Mesa has three quality starters in Johnny Falcon (12-18 3.48), John Rainer (12-13 3.64) and Kent Wells (13-19 3.46).

8th – Hillsboro Blazers (64-90)
Arky Spanderson, Manager

The Hillsboro Blazers are one of the weakest franchises in the IPA. This year for the fifth time in six years they wound up in the Tycobbian East cellar. 2003 was its best season and they only finished sixth. Pro ball has been a tough trial for manager Arky Spanderson, who had great success in the industrial leagues. Hillsboro has one gifted player in All-Star pitcher Ed Dupard (19-14 2.62), who really blossomed this season, his fifth year in the league. The Blazers only have two adequate hitters in journeymen 3B George Longmire (.281/10 HR/61 RBI/83 R) and LF Lonnie Snider (.305/19 HR/78 RBI/81 R).

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 17, 2007

2007 Tycobbian Union West Division Final Standings

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 17, 2007

Tycobbian Union West Division

Bayview Hangs On, Outduels Denton City in TU West

In a cliffhanger Bayview held on to outduel the on-rushing Denton City Redbirds. The Vikings took a comfortable 6-game bulge into the final of month of the regular season and just barely beat back Denton City's charge by one game. The Redbirds put up a torrid 13-2 mark in September, while Bayview staggered to an 8-7 record. The Vikings finally cinched the pennant on the next-to-the-last day in the season. The Rolling Hills Reds ended the year in the third spot in the standings and trailed by 10 games, while the Kenwood and La Claire came in tied for fourth, 15 games out of first place.

Best Team BA: Bayview .283
Most HR: Bayview 220
Most Runs: Bayview 793
Best Team ERA: Denton City 3.17
Best Team Defense: Rolling Hills Reds .977 FA

Worst Team BA: Chicopee .255
Fewest HR: Kenwood 112
Fewest Runs: Chicopee 700
Worst Team ERA: Arlon 4.06
Worst Team Defense: La Claire .969 FA

1st – Bayview Vikings (94-60)
Walter Johanssen, Manager

The powerful Bayview Vikings continued their winning ways in the Tycobbian West. Walter Johanssen piloted them to their third division crown and to the playoffs for the fourth time in six seasons. In the past the Vikings have depended on firepower alone, but this year the pitching was as good as the hitting. Johanssen's mound corps compiled a fine 3.45 ERA (6th), while his line-up blistered the ball for a .283 batting average (1st) and smashed 220 home runs (1st). This season free agent Connie Gavagan (20-11 3.41) came from Turon and joined up with Norm Roy (21-13 2.93), Charlie Tubbs (17-13 3.80) and Georgie Fambreau (11-11 3.55) to give the Vikings a very solid rotation. Add in closer Josh Glover (3-4 2.78) with his 30 saves and you have a solid pitching staff. Mix in three All-Stars in 3B Karl Benson (.325/36 HR/102 RBI/106 R), 1B Chancey Quibedeaux (.329/23 HR/94 RBI/100 R) and C Hank Bethel (.300/32 HR/80 RBI/93 R). Toss in two more budding All-Stars like CF Tommy Riddle (.280/28 HR/96 RBI/78 R) and SS Dan Conroy (.283/32 HR/88 RBI/75) and you have one potent ball club.

2nd – Denton City Redbirds (93-61)
Ford Whiteman, Manager

In a spirited effort Ford Whiteman and his Denton City Redbirds almost caught the Bayview Vikings in the final days of the season, but fell one game short. Still it was a very good season for them. Whiteman has a strong, steady and consistent pitching rotation with Mila Mohoski (16-11 2.45), Bubba Lear (19-10 2.80), Hank Taylor (20-12 3.31) and Daniel Fitzmorris (15-17 3.52). They were the prime reason the Redbirds mounted such a challenge to Bayview. The DC staff registered a very good 3.17 team ERA (1st). Whiteman's top hitters were RF Lavon Gooch (.269/27 HR/98 RBI/99 R), All-Star 3B Jay Petit (.337/21 HR/72 RBI/81 R) and CF Rod MacCormack (.300/18 HR/77 RBI/75 R).

3rd – Rolling Hills Reds (84-70)
Matty Christianson, Manager

2007 was a good year for the Rolling Hills Reds, skippered by Matty Christianson, but they still missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season. Pitching is the Reds strong point with three good starters: Kojiro Matsumoto (17-7 3.22), Peter Brenneman (18-14 3.31) and Keir McNamara (11-6 2.90). Christianson also has two solid relievers in Chet Kramer (9-5 3.21) and Hoyt Paulsen (7-4 3.22). Rolling Hills has no big time batting stars or All-Stars. The Reds top bats are 2B Owen MacArthur (.318/7 HR/62 RI/85 R), SS Spider Worley (.290/5 HR/52 RBI/90 R), CF Roy Stainbrook (.289/18 HR/80 RBI/73 R), C Kenny Abshire (.273/18 HR/80 RBI) and RF Theron Latigo (.264/13 HR/79 RBI).

4th tied – Kenwood Wildcats (79-75)
Aaron Hankins, Manager

The drought continues in Kenwood. It's been five years since the club made the IPA playoffs. The Kenwood Wildcats are just an average ball club. Manager Aaron Hankins' top pitchers are Todd Combs (15-8 2.77), Joey Popovich (13-12 3.58) and Ray Cook (12-13 3.60). At the plate Kenwood was led by 1B Scott McKinley (.298/20 HR/115 RBI/89 R), LF Nickie Troxell (.287/29 HR/87 RBI/84 R) and RF Dayton Walker (.309/6 HR/62 RBI/81 R).

4th tied – La Claire Lynx (79-75)
Rip Calkin, Manager

For the seventh successive season the La Claire Lynx have failed to make the playoffs. Lynx manager Rip Calkin is pretty much in the same boat as Hankins at Kenwood. Calkin just has an average team, but with a little more power than the Wildcats. His best player is All-Star LF Zeppy Deshotel (.293/26 HR/97 RBI/ 109 R). La Claire's other run producers are 3B Luis Marquez (.287/16 HR/84 RBI/70 R) and 2B Dale Pace (.328/13 HR/66 RBI/78 R). Calkin's top throwers are Andy Murray (17-14 3.47) and Nosyt Sani (18-14 3.61).

6th – Chicopee Braves (76-78)
Harry Fleetfoot, Manager

The Chicopee Braves are another team that has never made the playoffs. The highest finish was fourth place last year. The best thing the Braves do is hit home runs. They ranked third this season with 186. Manager Harry Fleetfoot's crew comes up short with a .255 BA (25th), but is a little better than average with a 3.67 ERA (13th). Chicopee has three long ball hitters: C Ivan Burkholder (.296/28 HR/84 RBI/81 R), RF Cornell Madigan (.275/27 HR/81 RBI/81 R) and 3B Randy Knowles (.302/25 HR/84 RBI). On the hill Fleetwood's best arms are Desmond Quartermain (14-16 2.77), Wayne Blackwell (16-16 3.42) and Alan Goodwin (16-14 3.93).

7th – Arlon Champions (74-80)
Gary Louis, Manager

It was a troubled year for Gary Louis and his Arlon Champions. After winning the TU West pennant last season with 99 victories, the most in the IPA, the Champs sunk down to seventh place. Pitching was the culprit as Arlon dropped from a strong 3.37 to a 4.06 team ERA this season. 20-game winners Kurt DeHaan (11-12 3.29) and Andre Masson (13-13 2.77) both pitched well, but did not approach their win totals of 2006. For the most part, the starting rotation did their job. It was when they turned it over to the bullpen when everything went to the dogs. Armando Cruz (15-12 3.63) and Hubie Croft (16-13 3.88) did gave Louis two more credible starters. In the batter's box Arlon's best performers were superb All-Star LF Rocco Belasario (.319/32 HR/95 RBI/116 R), RF Chucky Gilton (.305/24 HR/92 RBI/66 R), 3B Nick Sweet (.293/14 HR/85 RBI/60 R) and All-Star C Juanito Luque (.298/9 HR/64 RBI/69 R).

8th – Bay St. Clair Buccaneers (69-85)
Guy Rondre, Manager

For the second consecutive year the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers ended the season in the TU West basement. Skipper Guy Rondre's ball club suffered from mediocrity in most aspects of the game, but they did stand out in the homer category. The Bucs went deep 176 times (4th) with 1B Gary Fields (.292/39 HR/114 RBI/86 R) leading the team, followed by RF Ira Engelstad (.299/28 HR/69 RBI/79 R), LF Todd Bryant (.260/23 HR/69 RBI/89 R) and 2B Jimmy Sawyer (.295/19 HR/64 RBI/61 R). Rondre had two fine starters in Denny Coulon (16-18 2.99) and Duke DeVree (17-14 3.26).

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 18, 2007

Kazmarek Wins Again, 6th Batting Title
The end of the baseball season brings with it a bevy of awards. The first ones to be announced were the Ruthlandian and Tycobbian Unions' batting championships. It doesn't make any difference in which league Jet Kazmarek plays, he almost always outhits everybody. It was the 32-year-old Kazmarek's sixth batting title in seven years. This year he switched leagues and still took home the trophy. Kazmarek was signed as a free agent by Arroyo Grande of the Tycobbian Union after playing six seasons with the Valmara Vipers of the Ruthlandian Union.

Kazmarek, who stands only 5' 6", is dynamite with the bat. For the year, the Suns left fielder posted a .349 batting average. His 199 base hits included 24 doubles, 14 triples, and 15 home runs. Additionally, Kazmarek scored 103 times and knocked in 97 runs in 148 games. The speedster also stole 60 bases this season. In his outstanding career Kazmarek sports a .362 batting average, by far the best in the Islandian Pro Alliance. He batted .428 in 2002 to set a league record, which will not likely be broken anytime soon. Kazmarek also hold the league mark with 102 stolen bases in 2003.

Marston Star Farris Cops RU Batting Crown
The leading hitter in the Ruthlandian Union this season was Marston first baseman Pat Farris, who chalked up a .362 batting average. Among his 205 hits were 35 doubles, 4 triples and 12 home runs. Farris also chipped in 52 RBIs and scored 77 times in a standout year. The 25-year-old Farris has averaged .322 in his 5 seasons with the Marston Nine. This was his first batting title.

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, September 19, 2007

Ancona and Bayview Favored in IPA Pro Cup Playoffs

The BNN baseball experts are predicting that the Ancona Red Elephants will win the Ruthlandian Union title and go up against the Bayview Vikings of the Tycobbian Union in the IPA Pro Cup finals this season. The playoffs are hard to figure. The teams with the best records in each league have never won the overall championship. Valmara made the Pro Cup finals in 2003, but fell to Turon. In 2005 Denton City had the most wins in the TU, but was beaten out by Middlefield in the finals. This year Ancona topped the RU with 94 victories, while Colchester paced the TU with 95 wins.

Beginning this season only division winners qualify for the postseason and each series will be a best-of-seven series. This was done to improve the chances of the best teams to prevail in a short series. The winning team will have to play only three rounds. In the past the champion had to play as many as five rounds to take the Pro Cup title.

Ruthlandian Union

The analysts say Ancona should have an easier time than Bayview. The Red Elephants (94-60) don't seem to have as much competition. They will host St. John (89-65) in the Elite 8, while the Stoner Stars (86-68) will travel to the Cold Creek Catamounts (88-66). Ancona has a good blend of pitching, power and hitting, while Cold Creek and Stoner stress pitching, but are not too strong in offense. The St. John Crusaders have pretty good power, but only average pitching and hitting. In head-to-head action against the other playoff teams Ancona was 14-4, while Cold Creek was 6-6, St. John 5-7 and Stoner 2-10.

Best Team BA: Ancona .274
Most HR: Ancona 159
Most Runs: Ancona 787
Best Team ERA: Cold Creek 3.26
Best Team Defense: Cold Creek and St. John .977

Worst Team BA: Cold Creek and St. John .263
Fewest HR: St. John 127
Fewest Runs: Stoner 709
Worst Team ERA: St. John 3.69
Worst Team Defense: Stoner .974

Tycobbian Union

Over the Tycobbian Union it should be quite a battle with any one of the four clubs having a shot at winning. Superior firepower and hitting plus solid pitching should give the advantage to the Bayview Vikings (94-60), who will entertain the pitching-rich Tuckanarra Blue Jays (94-60) in the Elite 8 round. In the other match-up it will be the Oxford Red Caps (91-63) playing in Colchester (95-59) against the Elites. Oxford has good bats and good pitching, while Colchester's strength is its offensive prowess. Oxford has the best league record against the other teams this year. The Red Caps were 11-3, while Bayview was 8-9, Tuckanarra 7-8 and Colchester 6-12.

Best Team BA: Bayview .283
Most HR: Bayview 220
Most Runs: Colchester 815
Best ERA: Tuckanarra 3.24
Best Team Defense: Tuckanarra .978

Worst Team BA: Tuckanarra .262
Fewest HR: Tuckanarra 124
Fewest Runs: Tuckanarra 715
Worst Team ERA: Colchester 3.76
Worst Team Defense: Colchester .968

The BNN prognosticators are forecasting that the Bayview Vikings will win the Pro Cup this year by defeating the Ancona Red Elephants. Tycobbia has won the Pro Cup four of the six seasons and is looking to do it again in 2007.

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 19, 2007

2007 Ruthlandian Union Pro Cup Elite 8 Series

IPA Pro Cup Underway With 4 Games

St. John Trips Ancona 7-4 in 11 Innings in Opener
Great relief pitching prevailed in St. John's 7-4 extra-inning win over Ancona in the first game of the Elite 8 Series played at Jay Loman Park. Manager Dickie Billings got five shutout innings from Pat Tarnovsky and closer Ken Wheeler. Tarnovsky worked three innings of one-hit ball and Wheeler gave up one hit in two innings. Wheeler (1-0) was credited with the victory. In the 11th inning two walks and an error loaded the bases for C Virgil Carpenter, who slapped a two-run single to send the Stars ahead 6-4. LF Jake Dillon added an insurance run with an RBI single. All three runs came off losing pitcher Nikon Maragos (0-1).

The Red Elephants took an early lead on 1B Johnny Lee Harder's two-run single in the opening frame. The Crusaders countered that with a four-run barrage in the top of the third. 3B Sully Hull and RF Clayton Luck drove in runs to tie the score at 2-2, then CF Champ Grayson made it 4-2 with a double. Ancona's RF Benito DiSalvo cut it to 4-3 with an RBI single in the third and C Rance Murillo tied it up again with a solo homer in the fourth. It stayed that way until the decisive 11th. The Red Elephants collected 8 hits to 7 for the Crusaders. Both starters had rocky outings, but eventually settled down and pitched well. St. John's Johnny Cole went six innings and gave up four runs on six hits, while Ancona's Vern Vidmar worked eight-plus innings and allowed four runs and five hits, struck out seven and walked three. Vidmar did not permit an earned run.

Stars Win Opener 3-2, Zodoka's HR Beats Cold Creek
The Stoner Stars won the opening game of the Pro Cup Elite 8 Series over Cold Creek 3-2 on 3B Karol Zokoka's two-run wallop in the top of the ninth at Holmes Field. Star starter Ted Chambers went seven and a third strong innings to lead the way. Chambers stopped the Catamounts on one run and six hits. However reliever Dave Pierce (1-0) notched the victory as he got the final two outs in the last of the eighth. Norman Canfield picked up the save, though he was touched for an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth. Cold Creek starter James Lattimer worked eight outstanding innings and yielded only one run and two hits. Lattimer fanned five and walked no one. The losing pitcher was Russell Thurber (0-1) who was victimized by Zodoka's game-winning smash.

Stoner managed only four hits in the game, while Cold Creek got seven. Cold Creek scored first in the third inning when SS Russ Russell tripled and was driven in by CF Trip Holmes' sacrifice fly. Stoner got even in the sixth on CF Mac Stewart's double, a sacrifice bunt by pitcher Chambers and a deep sac fly by 2B Ed Chase.

2007 Tycobbian Union Pro Cup Elite 8 Series

Bayview Beats Blue Jays 6-0 on Roy's 6-Hit Shutout
At home at Downtown Plaza Stadium the Bayview Vikings strutted their stuff in a 6-0 triumph over the Tuckanarra Blue Jays to take the first game of the Pro Cup Elite 8 Series. The Viks Norm Roy stopped them on six singles, struck out seven and walked two in a fine performance. The Bayview bats were humming, too. They piled up 15 hits against three Blue Jays hurlers and were led by LF Bryan Wessels with three hits and four RBIs. CF Tommy Riddle and 3B Karl Benson also racked up three hits apiece in the romp. 20-game winner Titus Bristow (0-1) took the brunt of the pounding as he was shelled for nine hits and five runs in just three-plus innings. A four-run outburst in the fourth finished Bristow for the day.

Simmons Superb, Elites Top Red Caps 5-2 in Game 1
The third hitter CF Wayne McDonald slammed a two-run shot off of Colchester's Jimmy Simmons, but that was the end of the scoring for Oxford for the day. Simmons totally shutdown the Red Caps the rest of the game in a 5-2 triumph in the opener of the Pro Cup Elite 8 Series. He fired a splendid four-hitter, fanned four and walked three, but it took a four-run surge in the seventh to tame Oxford and Bomber Belinsky. Up until then Belinsky had limited the Elites to just two hits and the Red Caps held a 2-1 lead. Simmons himself tied the score with a double and RF Teddy Blanton won it with a two-run double. Belinsky balked the fifth run in. Belinsky (0-1) took the loss, giving up all five runs on five hits in his seven-plus innings. 3B Bill Keese drove in Colchester's first run in the fourth.

The Islandian Times

Wednesdy, September 20, 2007

2007 Ruthlandian Union Pro Cup Elite 8 Series

Crusaders Whip Ancona Again, Garson Wins It 5-1
22-year-old Teddy Garson pitched the underdog St. John Crusaders to a 5-1 triumph over Ancona to give them a 2-0 lead in the RU Pro Cup Elite 8 Series. Garson allowed nine hits, but was stingy with men on base. The Red Elephants couldn't buy a hit with runners in scoring position and stranded 13. Garson (1-0) walked four and struck out seven in going the route. St. John roughed up three Ancona pitchers for 12 hits and were paced by 1B Abe Worthy (.375) with three hits and LF Josh Dillon (.250) with a pair of RBIs. Dave Webb (0-1) was stuck with the loss. The Crusaders banged him around for 10 hits and three runs in seven innings.

The series will now switch to St. John for the next three games, if needed.

Stoner Squeezes By Cold Creek Again, Up 2-0
The Stoner Stars took their second straight road victory at Holmes Field in Cold Creek defeating the favored Catamounts 4-3 to go up two games to none in the best-of-seven RU Pro Cup Elite 8 Series. With runners on first and third and two outs, 2B Johnny Nowitzki (.222) came through with an RBI single to score RF Dutch Rheinecker (.000) with the winning run in top of the ninth. Starter Georgie West (1-0) got the win with relief help from Dave Pierre in the last of the ninth. West hurled eight innings and surrendered three runs on eight hits with two earned. Pierre picked up the save with a perfect inning. Tommy Weeks (0-1) caught the loss. He worked into the ninth and was tagged for 12 hits and four runs.

Cold Creek grabbed a 2-0 edge in the first inning. 1B Nat Mayakovsky (.222) doubled in both runs. The Stars evened it up at 2-all as Rheinecker grounded into a double play for one run and CF Jason Bethelot (.667) plated the second one with a double. The Catamounts regained the lead in the fourth frame when they scored on an error by 2B Nowitzki. Stoner rallied to make it 3-3 on 1B Alan Guilford's (.250) RBI single that scored Berthelot from third base. LF Bruce Boatman (.750) led the Stars with three hits, while CF Trip Holmes (.429) and RF Emile Stosha (.333) had two hits each for Cold Creek.

Game three and four will be played in Stoner, and game five if necessary.

2007 Tycobbian Union Pro Cup Elite 8 Series

Viks Power Past Tuckanarra 8-1, Gavagan Winner
The Bayview Vikings dominated the Tuckanarra Blue Jays for the second day in a row at Downtown Plaza Stadium. The Vikings ripped them for 12 hits in an 8-1 romp behind another strong performance by Connie Gavagan (1-0), who stopped the Blue Jays on five hits. Bayview hammered three out of the park with LF Sundown Helaku (.250), CF Tommy Riddle (.667) and RF Kelton Carpenter (.400) all going deep, while C Hank Bethel (.333) chipped in a two-run double. 19-game winner Roy Spence (0-1) was the losing pitching. The Viks racked up seven runs and 11 hits off him in six-plus frames. Tuckanarra's only run came in the opening inning on a solo roundtripper by 3B Cameron Kamara (.375).

The Blue Jays will be happy to go back home to Tuckanarra for games three, four and possibly five, if needed.

Red Caps Rout Elites 9-0, Phillips Evens Series
The Oxford Red Caps gained a split in the two games played in Colchester at Heyward Field. The Red Caps routed the Elites 9-0 on a 4-hit shutout by Dan Phillips and the big bat of LF Mack Spencer (.500), who cracked two homers and batted in four runs. It was a match-up between two 20-game winners with Phillips coming out the winner over Frank Payne. Oxford broke up a scoreless duel with three runs in the fourth frame, all coming on Spencer's first homer. He also got another off Payne in the sixth. The Red Caps wrapped it up with a five-run ninth off relievers. 1B Timmy Binford (.375) collected three hits and two RBIs for the winners. The Elites played lousy defense, committed three errors and gave up six undeserved scores. Payne (0-1) lost it as he allowed four runs and seven hits in eight innings.

With the Pro Cup Elite 8 Series now tied at one game apiece, it will now head to Oxford for the next three games.

The Islandian Times

Thursday, September 21, 2007

2007 Ruthlandian Union Pro Cup Elite 8 Series

St. John Wins 3rd In a Row, Dumps Ancona 6-1
St. John rode the strong arm of Sterling Eccles to its third win in a row over the Ancona Red Elephants to take a huge lead in the RU Pro Cup Elite 8. The Crusaders were victorious 6-1. One more victory and St. John will advance to the Final 4. Eccles worked into the ninth and held Ancona to one unearned run on seven hits with six strikeouts and three walks. Closer Ken Wheeler did his job quickly and ended the game with a double play ball to the only batter he faced.

Leading 3-1 in the eighth St. John busted it open with three runs. Red Elephant starter Sean Stone (0-1) was effective, but suffered the defeat. He only yielded two runs on four hits in six innings, only one of them earned. Offensively the Crusaders collected nine hits and were led by 2B Baron Ainsworth (.333), who had three doubles and two RBIs. 3B Sully Hull (.333) had the game's only four-bagger.

Cold Creek Tops Stoner 8-0 on Peterson's 2-Hitter
In an almost must win Cold Creek blanked Stoner 8-0 at Nonnac Stadium in Stoner. The Catamounts got a sensational effort from Kyle Peterson, who stymied the Stars on just two hits. It was Cold Creek first win the Pro Cup Elite 8 Series after losing twice at home. Peterson, a 20-game winner in the regular season, was in complete control with seven Ks and two bases on balls. Matt Merrill's single in the third and pinchhitter Rod Stephens single in the fifth were the only hits Peterson gave up. Aydan Havilland (0-1) started for Stoner and took the loss, allowing five runs in three innings.

Cold Creek quickly took care of the Stars with a five-run third inning. The Catamounts cracked 16 hits in all. SS Russ Russell (.500) sparked them with 4-for-5 and two runs scored. CF Trip Holmes (.462) had three hits and scored twice. RF Emile Stosha (.385), 1B Nat Mayakovsky (.308) and C Bart Harben (.167) all batted in two runs each and 3B Marcio Lombardi (.700) had four hits.

2007 Tycobbian Union Pro Cup Elite 8 Series

Tubbs Tames Tucks 8-0, Bayview Up 3-0 in Series
It doesn't seem to matter, both home and away, the Bayview Vikings have Tuckanarra's number. The Vikings rung up the Blue Jays 8-0 at Central Park Stadium in Tuckanarra on Charlie Tubbs strong 3-hitter to take an overwhelming 3-0 lead in the TU Pro Cup Elite 8 Series. Tubbs (1-0) breezed to the win, struck out six and walked three.

Hard-hitting Bayview backed him up with 11 hits and three roundtrippers off four Blue Jay pitchers. 1B Chancey Quibedeaux (.364), RF Kelton Carpenter (.400) and SS Dan Conroy (.333) all rapped homers. The Vikings have hit seven so far in the series. Tommy Ruffin, a 19-game winner, took the fall. Ruffin (0-1) surrendered four runs and nine hits in a rough six-plus innings.

Oxford Takes Lead, Nips Colchester 3-2
At home at Winchester Park in Oxford, the Red Caps nipped the Colchester Elites 3-2 to take a two games to one edge in the best-of-seven TU Elite 8. 34-year-old Dan Sisler making his first postseason start came through like gangbusters and hurled eight masterful innings. Sisler (1-0) permitted only one run and three hits for the win. Nicky Nicholson saved it for him, but gave up an unearned run in the ninth.

Oxford wrapped up the game early with three runs in the second inning, highlighted by a solo homer by 1B Timmy Binford (.364) and a two-run double by C Whitey Cosgrove (.091). After that losing pitcher Keith Cline (0-1) settled down and kept the Red Caps off the scoreboard the rest of the game. Cline tossed a complete game, fanned five, walked four and was touched for seven hits. The Elites were held to just four hits. SS Erich Yoder (.143) drove in both runs for Colchester. They scored runs in the seventh and ninth innings.

The Islandian Times

Friday, September 22, 2007

2007 Ruthlandian Union Pro Cup Elite 8 Series

Ancona Stays Alive, Outscores St. John 11-10
The favored Ancona Red Elephants have had their hands full with the tough St. John Crusaders in the RU Elite 8 Series. The Crusaders only need one more win in the best-of-seven series. They won the first three games and mounted an impossible rally from a 10-4 deficit to tie the score at 10-all in the last of the eighth, only to lose it in the top of the ninth 11-10, when CF Abram Starner (.400) drove in the winning score with a sacrifice fly. Ancona had to survive a trio of late-inning homers by CF Champ Grayson (.231), 2B Sully Hull (.350) and pinchhitter Gerry Carmody.

It really was a hit-fest with 32 hits in the game, 17 by the Red Elephants and 15 by the Crusaders. Starner, Johnny Lee Harder (.389) and RF Benito DiSalvo (.471) each had three hits to pace Ancona, while 2B Baron Ainsworth (.429) rapped four hits for St. John and RF Clayton Luck (.294) chipped three hits. Ancona used six pitchers with the win going to Yannis Vardakis (1-0) and the save to Sollie Yakis. St. John used four with the loss credited to Fuzzy Olnick (0-1), who worked the ninth. Game five will be played at Cathedral Stadium in St. John tomorrow afternoon. If necessary, the final two games are scheduled for Ancona.

Stars Sock Cold Creek 9-5, One More Win To Go
The Stoner bats went to town on Cold Creek to the tune of 14 hits today at Nonnac Stadium and racked up a 9-5 victory. The win gave the Stars their third win in four games over the Catamounts. One more victory will wrap up the Elite 8 Series. Stoner jumped in front 4-1 after five innings, but Cold Creek rallied to tie it at 4-4 in the top of the sixth. The Stars regained the lead in the bottom of the inning, only to have the Catamounts even it again at 5-5 in the top of the eighth. Stoner exploded for four in the last of the eighth to capture the game. 3B Karol Zodoka (.313) drove in the winning runs with a two-run single. The Stars tacked on two more in the inning to win going away.

Stoner's top hitters were CF Mac Stewart (.429) and LF Matt Merrill (.333). They both got two hits, including a home run each. Johnny Nowitzki (.294) smacked three hits for the winners. Cold Creek collected 12 hits and were led by C Bart Harben (.313) with 3-for-4, two RBIs and two runs scored. LF Monty Draycott (.154) cracked two triples and scored twice for the Catamounts, while 2B Marcio Lombardi (.643) belted two doubles. The win went to reliever Kelly Schaefer (0-1), who got the last out in the eighth inning. Norman Canfield closed out the game with a perfect 1-2-3 ninth. Cold Creek's Russell Thurber (0-1) was the loser. He allowed four runs in two-thirds of an inning.

2007 Tycobbian Union Pro Cup Elite 8 Series

Tuckanarra Wins Thriller, Trims Viks 2-1
Tuckanarra staved off elimination from the TU Elite 8 Series with a thrilling 2-1 triumph over Bayview at Central Park Stadium. It was a stirring duel between the two clubs' aces, Titus Bristow for the Blue Jays and Norm Roy for the Vikings. Bayview broke a scoreless tie in the sixth when C Hank Bethel (.333) doubled in Roy (.167), who had doubled. Tuckanarra tied it in the seventh on a double by 1B Erik Vayda (.154) and 2B Duncan Renwick's (.308) double, then won it when C Maka Bardinda (.143) got new life on a error by 3B Karl Benson and scored on an RBI single by 3B Cameron Kamara (.400).

It was the Blue Jays first win in the series after three straight defeats. Bristow (1-1 3.18) was brilliant, surrendering only two hits in eight innings of work, while Roy permitted eight hits and only one earned run in a complete-game performance. Flash Guidry came on in the ninth for Tuckanarra and retired the Vikings in order for the save.

Red Caps Rip Elites 13-2, Oxford Leads Series 3-1
The Colchester Elites ran into a hornet's nest today at Winchester Park in Oxford. They were bombed in more ways than one. The Red Caps ripped them for 16 hits in a 13-2 runaway and Bomber Belinsky (1-1) scattered eight hits and struck out eight batters and easily went the distance. Oxford's big bats were 3B Preston Browne (.333) with three hits and five RBIs, RF Bobby Lark (.313) with four hits and three RBIs and LF Wayne McDonald (.400) with three hits and three runs batted in. They all three hit homers. The loss went to Jimmy Simmons (1-1 3.75), who was raked over the coals for six runs in three innings.

The victory gave the Red Caps a three games to one edge in the best-of-seven TU Elite 8 playoffs. Game five is slated for tomorrow, again in Oxford.

The Islandian Times

Saturday, September 23, 2007

2007 Ruthlandian Union Pro Cup Elite 8 Series

St. John Advances, Slips By Ancona 4-3
Teddy Garson and Ken Wheeler combined to hurl the St. John Crusaders to a 4-3 win over the Ancona Red Elephants to decide the RU Elite 8 Series four games to one. Garson (2-0 0.53) checked Ancona on two runs and five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks in his eight innings. All three of the Red Elephants runs were unearned as the Crusaders committed three costly errors. Wheeler came on in the top of ninth, blew the save, but got the victory in the bottom of the frame when LF Jake Dillon beat out a slow roller and drove in CF Champ Grayson (.235) from third base. Dillon (.316) paced the Crusaders with two hits and two RBIs.

Ancona starter Dave Webb (0-1 2.08) was plagued by poor control and poor defense. Webb walked four batters in the three-run fourth inning. He walked in two runs in the crucial frame. For the game Webb issued nine bases on balls, but held St. John to four hits and three runs in six innings. Only one run was earned.

Stoner Wins Elite 8 Series, KO's Cold Creek 6-3
In the decisive game five, the Stoner Stars got some long-distance hitting and some solid pitching to knock the Cold Creek Catamounts out of the RU Elite 8 Series four games to one. The Stars will advance to the Final 4 against the winner of the Ancona-St. John series. C Benny Stern (.238) and RF Dutch Rheinecker (.125) sparked the Stoner victory offensively, while starter Georgie West (2-0 2.81) hurled another solid game. Stern walloped two homers and drove in two runs and Rheinecker batted in three runs.

On the mound West allowed 10 hits, but held the Catamounts to just three runs. West fanned six and walked only one in a standout outing. West and losing pitcher Tommy Weeks were locked in tight 2-1 game until the Stars erupted for three runs in the seventh to go ahead 5-1. Stoner held on for the victory. Reliever Matthew Wise struck out two in a perfect ninth for the save. Weeks (0-2 5.52) lost his second game in the series as he was shelled for five runs and eight hits in six innings. At the plate Catamount RF Emile Stosha (.400) had three hits and two RBIs and CF Trip Holmes (.409) went 2-for-4 and scored twice in the game.

2007 Tycobbian Union Pro Cup Elite 8 Series

Viks in Final 4, Down Tuckanarra 6-3, Win 4 of 5
It only took the powerful Bayview Vikings five games to finish off the Tuckanarra Blue Jays. They cinched the TU Elite Series with a 6-3 victory today on the road at Central Park Stadium. Connie Gavagan (2-0 1.50) stood out again with another route-going effort, holding the Blue Jays to six hits and two earned runs. He outpitched Roy Spence (0-2 6.43), who had another rocky start. Bayview took control of the game late. They snapped a 3-3 deadlock in the eighth scoring a run on two walks and an infield error. Then C Hank Bethel wrapped it up with a two-run homer in the ninth, his second of the game. Bethel (.348) had two hits and batted in four runs. RF Rowdy Marshall (.357) homered for Tuckanarra, a two-run shot in the fifth that cut the score to 3-2 in favor of the Vikings. Bayview had 9 hits.

The Vikings will now prepare for the winner of the Oxford-Colchester series. The Red Caps carry a 3-2 lead into game six, which will be held at Winchester Park in Oxford tomorrow afternoon.

Colchester Whips Oxford 6-3, Trails 3-2 in Series
Colchester finally figured out Dan Phillips of the Oxford Red Caps. The Elites were shut out in their first encounter with him, but this time around got to him in the late innings and beat him 6-3 and cut the Red Caps lead in the TU Elite 8 Series to three games to two. Colchester lashed Phillips (1-1 2.55) for 10 hits and were led by 1B Harlan Roscoe (.250) and 2B D. W. Koontz (.214), who each drove in two runs. The Elites took the lead in the seventh inning 4-3 and then added two more runs in the ninth. Frank Payne (1-1 3.38) went eight innings for the victory, holding Oxford to three runs on seven hits. Ben Sparkman closed it out for the save with a runless ninth.

The Islandian Times

Sunday, September 24, 2007

2007 Tycobbian Union Pro Cup Elite 8 Series

Colchester-Oxford Series Tied, Elites Win 9-7
The Colchester-Oxford Elite 8 Series will go down to the seventh game. The Elites evened the series at three games each with a 9-7 triumph at Heyward Field and forced a series finale. Colchester had to come from a 4-0 first-inning deficit to do it. The Elites got two in the first and five in the second to take the lead 7-4. The Red Caps narrowed it to 7-6 in the seventh, but Colchester put them away with two more in the eighth and withstood a mild rally in the ninth.

Oxford outhit the Elites 12-10. Colchester's top bats were LF Jerry Hoffmeyer (.267) with two hits and three RBIs and CF Douglas Tilford (.250) with two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored. Sparking the Red Caps at the plate were LF Wayne McDonald (.409) with two hits and four runs batted in and 1B Timmy Binford (.400) with two hits and three RBIs. Binford hit the only home run in the game. Reliever Fred Kimball (1-0 4.70) was the winning pitcher with five good innings. He allowed two runs and six hits after starter Keith Cline was battered hard in the first two innings. Kimball slowed down the Oxford hitters and allowed Colchester to build up a lead.

Game seven will take place tomorrow afternoon at Heyward Field in Colchester.