THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, August 1, 2057

SINK OR SWIM IN THE IPA STRETCH
Who will thrive and stay alive in the hot August sun and who will wilt and dive?... that is the big question in the IPA for a bunch of clubs in the stretch drive... heading into the final six weeks of the season every one of the league elites is being tested under fire... current IPA champion Middlefield is in a fight for its life in the RU West... the runner-up Roosters are trailing the Fort Benton Defenders by two games and tied with the Sligo Rovers... and to make matters even worse, the Stoner Stars, Volusia Vigilantes and Forest City Firebirds are close enough to make a run at the division title, too... it's quite a tango in the Ruthlandian West.

Favored Wynnamac has a battle on its hands, too, in the RU East... the Elnora All-Stars are smack dab even with the Macs... and last year's division winner Eastshore in right in the mix, too, just three games back... even fourth place Marston has a shot, trailing by six games.

The other two divisions don't have a lot of breathing room either... Valmara is up by only four games over the Glasco Athletics in the Ruthlandian North, but the rest have faded into the sunset for another season... and over in the Ruthlandian South the St. John Crusaders are in front of preseason favorite Crystal Lake by four games with last year's champ Waleska six games behind, along with the Claxton Diamonds.

Times are chaotic, too, in the Tycobbian Union... potent powers like Midway, Turon and Denton City are all struggling to keep the leads... the Wolves have very stiff challenges from high-powered High Mesa and robust Red Bluff... the Mustangs are deadlocked with them for the top spot with Red Sox sticking like glue only one scant game back in the third spot in the Tycobbian East.

The Luxora Zorros also have a ruckus to deal with in the TU North... the Z's are just three games up on last season's division winner White River and preseason pick Oxford... to say nothing of the fourth place North Hills Hawks only four games off the pace... followed by Mahaska in sixth and just five games behind.

Even super powers Denton City and Turon have been put on trial... in the Tycobbian West the Redbirds are still being pressured by the Rolling Hills Reds, who are five games back in the race... the Typhoons are also ahead by five games over the Southport Sun Sox in the TU South.

The baseball fans in the Islands are having a ball, y'all... nobody has cinched a spot in the IPA Pro Cup playoffs yet... most of the pennant races just might go down to the final days of the season.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, September 1, 2057

SOARING, SURGING, SLIPPING IN THE IPA
September has arrived in the Islands where the laws of gravity don't always apply... especially to the baseball teams in the Islandian Pro Alliance... what goes up doesn't always have to come down... at least in the short term of a pennant race... the Valmara Vipers, Middlefield Roosters, Fort Benton Defenders, Elnora All-Stars, St. John Crusaders, Red Bluff Red Sox, Midway Wolves, Oxford Red Caps, Rolling Hills Reds and the Turon Typhoons are soaring... the North Hills Hawks are surging... and the Glasco Athletics, Denton City Redbirds and High Mesa Mustangs are slipping... get ready for a recap of the ups and downs in the hunt for a division title and a Pro Cup playoff spot in the IPA... only two clubs have pretty much clinched a postseason spot... Valmara and Turon have seemingly safe leads heading into September and the final three weeks of the regular season... the other six divisions look like down-to-the-last-game dogfights.

Valmara, St. John, Elnora, Middlefield, Fort Benton, Red Bluff, Midway, Oxford, Rolling Hills and Turon are skyhigh and soaring, either leading or tied for first place in the standings ... the Vipers (88-51) are atop the Ruthlandian North by 9 games over fading runner-up Glasco (79-60) after posting a solid 17-12 in August... the A's slipped to 12-17... in the Ruthlandian South the Crusaders (80-59) top Crystal Lake (75-64) by 5 games... St. John was 16-13 and the Skippers 15-14 for the month... Elnora (77-62) took over the Ruthlandian East this month with a 17-12 mark... going in front of Wynnamac (75-64) by 2 games... the Macs were a decent 15-14... in the Ruthlandian West the current IPA titleholder Middlefield (78-61) is now all even with Fort Benton (78-61)... the Roosters got it together in August with a stellar 19-10, while the Defenders were vibrant and competitive 17-12.

In the Tycobbian North Division the Oxford Red Caps (77-62) sizzled with a 22-7 August record and upped its margin over second place North Hills (73-66) and Luxora Zorros (73-66) to 4 games... the Z's were a fairly good 15-14... the Hawks registered a standout 19-10 last month and still lost ground, but shot ahead of the rest of the division... and in the Tycobbian South it's a rootin' tootin' good season again in Turon (83-56)… the Typhoons bolted ahead by 11 games over second place Cape Coral (72-67) by playing great ball in August (21-8)... It a big jumble in the jungle in the Tycobbian East with Red Bluff (81-58) and Midway (81-58) deadlocked for first with the slumping High Mesa Mustangs (78-61) hanging in just 3 games out... record-wise in August the Red Sox were 18-11, the Wolves 17-12 and the Mustangs 14-15... over in the Tycobbian West the surprising Rolling Hill Reds (87-52) blistered the competition for a 21-8 mark last month have now overtaken and jumped one game ahead of the Denton City Redbirds (86-55)... the Redbirds only managed a 15-14 record... the Reds were forecast to be a second-division club this season.

Nice pennant races. :eatpop:

Yeah, 6 races are pretty good.

I'm going to try something new this season... should have done it long ago... I will cover the final week of the season in detail so you will get a little familiar with all of the Pro Cup playoff contenders in the stretch drive... GForce does it in his All-Time Baseball League and it's a great idea.

Ooh, that sounds good. Head to Head games among those teams competing for the spot during the month would be entertaining too.

Any thought on introducing Wildcard spots

(Not to give you more work to do, just a fan of everything you’ve built here)

I am an old codger that prefers just the winner of divisions making the playoffs... I wish MLB just had 32 teams with four divisions of 8 teams each... not a wildcard fan... just an old, ancient baseball traditionalist from the 40s and 50s.

I'm glad you like the idea of detailed coverage of the last week of the season... I think I will really enjoy it, too... it will be good to see how a team gets into the playoffs from the stretch drive.

Thanks for following the IPA.

Much appreciate it.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 10, 2057

CRUTCH TIME IN THE IPA
September is here... with only one more week of play... and all the marbles are on the table... it's do-or-die time in the IPA... only two clubs have cinched division flags... two others are close to nailing down a playoff spot... and four divisions are still up for grabs at this late date.

Valmara (92-55) was victorious in the Ruthlandian North, beating preseason favorite Glasco (84-63) by a whopping 8 games... as expected Turon (87-60) trounced everybody in the Tycobbian South, capturing it with ease by 13 games over Cape Coral (74-73)... in the Ruthlandian East the Elnora All-Stars (84-63) are 6 games up on preseason favorite Wynnamac (78-69) with 7 games to go and in the Tycobbian North race favored Oxford (83-64) is ahead by 6 games over North Hills (77-70) and Luxora (77-70).

In the Ruthlandian South Division the St. John Crusaders (84-63) have a 2-game edge over preseason pick Crystal Lake (82-65)... last year's division winner Waleska (77-70) is 7 games out and only has an outside chance in the pennant race.

It a super-tight tussle in the Ruthlandian West with 5 teams still technically in it, however only three really have a shot... highly-improbable Fort Benton (82-65) is currently in the driver's seat, but only one game better than preseason choice and reigning Pro Cup champion Middlefield (81-66)... and the Sligo Rovers (80-67) trail by just 2 games in third place... Volusia (75-72) and Forest City (75-72) are both on very, very thin ice and are 7 games off the pace.

The Tycobbian East and Tycobbian West have barnburners going... the Red Bluff Red Sox (85-62), one of the surprise teams this season, is still on top in the East, but last year's champ and this year's favorite Midway (84-63) is only one game off the pace... the High Mesa Mustangs (82-65) are also chomping on the bit, just 3 games back in the race... fourth place East Point is a distant 7 games out and not likely to win... and finally the Cinderella Rolling Hills Reds (90-57) and preseason pick Denton City (90-57) are deadlocked for the top spot in the West with only 7 games to go in the regular season.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 10, 2057

DAILY DOWN-TO-THE-WIRE DIVISION RECAPS
Seasons will be made or lost this September as the Islandian Pro Alliance comes to its regular season conclusion... here's what happened to all of the postseason contenders and pretenders yesterday in the IPA.

Valmara has already clinched in the Ruthlandian North Division.

In the South Division the first place St. John Crusaders fell to the Marston Nine 6-2... and the second place Crystal Lake Skippers also lost to the Waleska Westerners 5-2... so the Crusaders (84-64) still have a 2-game lead over the Skippers (82-66)... the Westerners (78-70) are 6 games off the pace, but there are only 6 left in the season.

Mark Henley was too tough on the mound for St. John... he outpitched Teddy de Grom, who lasted only four innings... Andy Kirk drove in three runs to lead the Nine... Haden Worthy batted in a pair.

DAILY DOWN-TO-THE-WIRE RECAPS
Monday, September 10, 2057
Ruthlandian South Division

Waleska's Ethan Addy fired a four-hitter to shipwreck the Crystal Lake Skippers (82-66), costing them a chance to draw within a game of first place St. John (84-64) in the Ruthlandian South Division... Crystal Lake potent attack had no chance against the 22-year-old rookie... 18-year-old rookie hurler David Plant suffered the defeat... Javon Grammer led Waleska with a three-run double in the seventh frame... even though their chances are slimmer than slim, the Westerners (78-70) stayed in the pennant hunt with the victory.

DAILY DOWN-TO-THE-WIRE RECAPS
Monday, September 10, 2057
Ruthlandian East Division

The Wynnamac Sundowners (76-69), last year's winner of the TU East, shaved a game off of Elnora's (84-64) lead by whipping Valka 7-3 with the aid of four home runs and Simon Northcott's solid pitching... Snooky Bartels (20), Manny Sendejas (37), Enos Benham (26) and Whiz Ivie (3) all went deep for the Macs... Wynnamac trails the All-Stars by 5 games with 6 to go.

DAILY DOWN-TO-THE-WIRE RECAPS
Monday, September 10, 2057
Ruthlandian East Division

Far Mountain clobbered first place Elnora 8-2 behind a fine outing by Eldon Bittner... the Redhawks collected 12 hits, including homers by Freddie Neill (27) and Lew Aston (21)... in a lousy effort loser Kevin Grantham was shelled for six runs in six-plus innings... despite the defeat the All-Stars (84-64) still enjoy a 5-game lead over second place Wynnamac (79-69) in the RU East pennant battle.

Elnora winds up the season on the road with three-game series against tough Glasco (85-63) and also-ran Belair Beach (65-83)… Wynnamac closes the regular season with series against Claxton (73-75) and talented St. John (84-64).

DAILY DOWN-TO-THE-WIRE RECAPS
Monday, September 10, 2057
Ruthlandian West Division

In a head-to-head clash between the two top contenders for the RU West pennant, first place Fort Benton (83-65) upped their lead to 2 games on the second place Middlefield Roosters (81-67), last year's IPA Pro Cup champion... the Defenders got a stellar mound job out of little-used Ruben Betros, who tossed eight impressive innings, stopping the Roosters on just four hits... it was a remarkable win... Betros was as wild as the wind... he issued 8 walks in the game... but the heavy-hitting Roosters couldn't put him away... Steven Hornblower sparked the 12-hit attack with two roundtrippers and three RBIs... this was the finale of a three-game series... Fort Benton took two of them... they took the first one 9-0 as Gene Hicks (16-16/3.90) fired a four-hitter... and lost game two 2-0 to Scott Cole (16-14/4.07), who outpitched Billy Ellis (7-11/4.48)... Middlefield has won the RU West for the last eight years... Fort Benton is an unlikely foe for the Roosters... they are a perennial division doormat with only one postseason appearance in the team's history (2037)... they finished fourth last year and were picked no better than fifth place this year... but lo and behold, look where they are... the big question is... will they hold off the mighty Roosters?

That RU West looks tight. I was going to support the reigning champs to come back, but when I searched for Fort Benton, I got nothing but basement dweller results, so I hope they can pull off the upset.

DAILY DOWN-TO-THE-WIRE RECAPS
Monday, September 10, 2057
Tycobbian North Division

The Oxford Red Caps moved closer to the TU North Division title with a hard-earned comeback victory over Colchester 8-6... the Red Caps stormed back from a 5-0 deficit... R. C. Russell struggled early, socked for six runs in eight innings, but he was saved by the bats... 12 hits and homers by Buddy Bradford (40) and Wade Armour (4) saved the day... Oxford (84-64) is 6 games better than runner-up Luxora (78-70)... one more Red Cap win or Zorro loss will give the flag to Oxford... third place North Hills (77-71) was eliminated from the pennant race with a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Hartsdale (70-78).

DAILY DOWN-TO-THE-WIRE RECAPS
Monday, September 10, 2057
Tycobbian East Division

The Tycobbian East is a ding-dong donnybrook... the Midway Wolves just took two of three games from the Red Bluff Red Sox and climbed up into a tie for the top spot, both with 85-63 marks... third place High Mesa (83-65) is breathing down their backs, just two games behind.

Midway lost the opener of the series 6-0... 22-year-old Wilson Sharpe (19-15/2.91) was brilliant, blanking the Wolves on just four hits... Charlie Chase (19-11/3.06) was the losing pitcher... rookie CF Paul Gaddison (.303/25 HR/86 RBI) had three hits and two ribbies to pace the Red Sox... 1B Monty Lyons (.296/19 HR/91 RBI) added in two RBIs... but the Middies roared back in game two at Joe Wolf Stadium, routing the Red Sox 11-5... Will DeBerry (18-16/3.17) posted the win... Fred Taylor (15-12/3.84) took the loss... rookie LF Robb Withers (.267/18 HR/43 RBI) homered twice for Midway... 3B Jamey Southwick (.223/24 HR/62 RBI) doubled, homered and batted in four runs... the same duo did it again in the third game... Withers hit two more out of the park and drove in four runs, while Southwick also hit a pair in a 7-2 triumph over Red Bluff... Dookie Higgins (5-3/4.58) went all the way in the win with the defeat charged to Ricky Lambert (13-9/3.98).

The Wolves travel to Kenwood (76-72) for three games and then close the season in San Alejo (58-90) for three final games... the Red Sox go up against Southport (73-75) at home and Mahaska (69-79) on the road in three-game series.

DAILY DOWN-TO-THE-WIRE RECAPS
Monday, September 10, 2057
Tycobbian South Division and Tycobbian West Division

The Turon Typhoons (88-60) made a travesty of the Tycobbian South Division, winning it by a huge 13 games... they just made mincemeat out of a pretty darn good playoff contender, the Rolling Hills Reds (90-58)... the Typhoons swept all three games, 7-2, 3-2 and 13-10... those losses knocked the Reds out of the lead in the Tycobbian West Division... Denton City (91-57) now has a slight one-game margin with 6 games to go in the season.

In the third game Turon exploded for 16 hits with CF Maxie Mullinax (.273/11 HR/71 RBI) driving in four scores, LF Andy Wilkerson (.290/17 HR/51 RBI) three runs and C Louie Hartsock (.280/2 HR/16 RBI) batting in two... it was not a good day at all for the poor pitchers... Rolling Hills ripped 13 hits and was led by rookie 1B Teddy Stonich (.308/34 HR/118 RBI) with four RBIs, RF Rory Teed (.304/13 HR/63 RBI) with two RBIs and LF Jean-Luc Roubique (.296/26 HR/90 RBI) with two runs driven in... starter Bobby Reimer (13-8/3.53) survived with the win, but was clobbered in the late innings.

Rolling Hills' last six games will be on the road in Cape Coral (75-73) and at home versus Ozarka (67-81).

DAILY DOWN-TO-THE-WIRE RECAPS
Monday, September 10, 2057
Tycobbian West Division

Thanks to the Turon Typhoons, the Denton City Redbirds (91-57) are now atop of the Tycobbian West Division... Turon swept a three-game set with the Rolling Hills Reds (90-58) and dropped them to second place in the standings, one game back of the Redbirds... Denton City moved to first place by taking two of three games from the East Point Panthers (78-70)... Flash Stringfellow (24-12/2.82) twirled an 8-0 shutout in game one... East Point captured the second game 8-7 with a late-inning rally despite five homers by the Redbirds... Sherm Dobkins (7), Val Anniston (24), Vincent McCloud (30), Ronny Lambert (10) and Winky Biggio (28) all went yard... the rubber game went to DC 8-3 behind the fine pitching of Jayson Mannon (20-9/3.21), who won 20 games for the third time in his nine-year career... 1B Val Anniston (.270/25 HR/70 RBI) and LF Rook Rydell (.333/1 HR/1 RBI) backed him up with roundtrippers.

Denton City has six games left to play... and they will be against the Arlon Champions (73-75) at home... and out of town in North Hills (77-71).

Yeah, I always pull for the current Pro Cup champ to defend the title... but poor Fort Benton has just never done this well... I have mixed emotions.

You might like to compare the two clubs.


Middlefield History