THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, September 22, 2058

3 TEAMS WIN "MUST" GAMES TO STAY ALIVE
Only the strong survive... Volusia, Midway and Luxora had to win "must" games to stay alive in the IPA playoffs... the Vigilantes whipped Wynnamac, Midway outlasted Arlon and Luxora edged Southport Saturday afternoon... they now only trail two games to one in the best-of-seven series... a third straight loss would have been devastating... in other postseason action, Crystal Lake went up on Valmara two games to one with a win in game three.

2058 Ruthlandian Union Division Championship Series - Game 3

AROUND THE TOWN IN THE IPA

Arlon Champions

Owner: Kobeer Sport and Athletic Apparel
GM/Manager: Mark Cameron

Arlon, a town of 87,000 in the Caledonia River delta in southwestern Tycobbia, is located 50 miles north of Turon, a seaport on the Kelnyck Ocean. It was settled by cotton growers from the American South in the 1850's and 60s, who wanted to get away from that country's disasterous civil war. Arlon’s basic economy is cotton and textile manufacturing. Rich alluvial cotton fields stretch for miles outside the town and are the source of its prosperity. Horse farms are also in abundance. Arlon is also noted for thoroughbred horse racing at Derby Downs, a magnificent racetrack that features the million-dollar National Derby each April. Another national event is the Kobeer Marathon each July, sponsored by Kobeer Sport and Athletic Apparel Company.

Kobeer is also the proud owner of the Arlon Champions of the Islandian Pro Alliance and play in the Tycobbian Union West Division. The Champions were named after the tennis shoe, “The Champion”, that started the company on the way to being one of the premier sporting and athletic apparel corporations in the country. The Champs play at Derby Downs, one of the most splendid settings in all of baseball. Derby Downs ballpark dates from 1915 and is adjacent to Arlon Derby Downs, the beautiful racetrack, whose twin green grandstand towers can be seen out over the centerfield fence. Kobeer regularly has fan appreciation days with free jerseys, caps, sweat suits and shoes just for coming to a Champions game. And in keeping with that old south Tycobbian tradition, delicious mint juleps are served at the concession stands along with other southern delicacies like fried chicken, watermelon and sweet potato pie. Tycobbians of all types love to eat and imbibe almost as much as they love Champs baseball.

Arlon is skippered by Mark Cameron, who played outfield for the team from 2033 to 2048, batting .275 in his career with 517 homers and 1421 RBIs. Cameron was a three-time All-Star and won the Tycobbian Most Valuable Player Award in 2039. He replaced Rocco Belasario in 2050 and was honored as TU Manager of the Year in '56... Belasario was a Hall of Fame outfielder and successful manager. He was awarded the Tycobbian Manager of the Year twice, in '39 and '43. Belasario batted .301 in his 22 seasons with 508 homers and 1658 RBIs... he was a 9-time All-Star and 5-time Golden Glove. The first skipper of the Champions was the great Gary Louis, known as the baseball Man of Steel when he played company ball for Kobeer Apparel in the amateur times. Not only was he an outstanding hitter, rivaling Baby George and Alejandro Rodrigo as the best ever, he never missed a game in his legendary career. Louis was voted Tycobbian Manager of the Year in '06 and '08... he also never missed a game as manager.

Derby Downs Park (1915)
Capacity: 10,983

Dimensions:
LF Line 330
LF 350
LCF 375
CF 402
RCF 375
RF 350
RF Line 330

AROUND THE TOWN IN THE IPA

MIDWAY WOLVES

Owner: Midway Baseball Cooperative
GM/Manager: Bobby Dorignac

Midway is a river town with 55,000 residents, founded on the banks of the Appian River in the central plains of Tycobbia. Midway is right in the middle of the country. Originally settled by the Kewanna Indians, as was most of the central plains area. The Kewannas called the area "place of the wolves". In many ways, a pack of wolves and a tribe of Indians have significant similarities. They both work for the greater good of the pack or tribe, they hunt for all to eat and are both led by a single leader. It isn’t surprising that because of these similarities, the Native Indians had a great respect for wolves and viewed them as a significant part of the world with which they lived harmoniously. In the Kewannan language the word for "wolf" is "Meed-whay". Subsequent English-speaking settlers, who emigrated in the 1870s understood it as "Midway". That is how the town name came to be.

Kewanna Indians still make up a part of the town's population, though they are no longer in the majority. The emigres and the Indians have always lived together in peace in Tycobbia. The emigres always treated the Natives fairly and did not take their land without proper payment.

Life has never been easy in Midway as it has to depend on the land for its livelihood. No rich mineral deposits, petroleum or forests are found here. No manufacturing. Just wheat, oats and corn as the staple crops. It also has a thriving dairy industry. There is one big employer in Midway, Nosyt Farms. In the Kewannan language "nosyt" is the word for "chicken". The company was started in 1895 by Joe Wolf and is still run today by his descendants. Nosyt Farms products are known for being grown naturally and are totally free of chemicals. This makes it a very popular brand name in the environmentally-conscious Islands.

Baseball got a late start in Midway. It was the 1920s before teams began to organize. It got its first impetus under the auspices of Nosyt Farms, which began a company league for employees. The company league was soon open to the town residents, too. By the 1940s Midway was competitive with the surrounding towns. It was one of the last town to get a franchise in the new Islandian Pro Alliance.

It is a community-owned franchise with over 5,000 stockholders. They chose the name "Wolves" because of the wolf's tough image and also because of its Kewannan connection and heritage. The Midway Wolves play at an old ballpark on the outskirts of town named in honor of Joe Wolf. It was built in 1928 and dedicated by Joe Wolf himself. It is located on Nosyt Farms and is maintained by the company as a community service.

Joe Wolf Park is not fancy, but it is functional and a good place to see a good ballgame. Most modern day Kewanna Indians get their food like anybody else...at the supermarket. Only on special ceremonial days do they prepare tribal foods. So all you will find at the ballpark are the traditional hot dogs, cokes, beer, peanuts and crackerjacks... and of course, delicious Nosyt southern fried chicken... "Just Like Mama's"... the best in the Islands.

The Midway general manager and field manager is Hall of Fame hurler Bobby Dorignac, who starred for 18 seasons for the Wolves from 2021 to 2038. He took over operation of the ballclub in 2047. In his career Dorignac compiled a standout 315-228 record with a 2.96 ERA... he was inducted into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame in 2039 and was the Tycobbian Most Valuable Player and Golden Arm winner in 2024... Dorignac has been quite successful as skipper of the Wolves... he has won 5 pennants so far and captured 2 Pro Cups ('53, '54)... two times Dorignac has been named the Tycobbian Manager of the Year in 2053 and 2054.

Joe Wolf Park (1928)

Capacity: 7,775

Dimensions:

Left Field Line - 335
Left Field - 360
Left Center - 380
Center Field - 401
Right Center - 380
Right Field - 360
Right Field Line - 335

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 23, 2058

MACS, SKIPS, SOX UP 3-1 OVER RIVALS
Three teams won very critical victories in the IPA Pro Cup playoffs... Wynnamac, Crystal Lake and Southport put themselves in very strong positions with wins over Pro Cup favorite Volusia, second-ranked Valmara and lightly-regarded Luxora…all three clubs have three games to one edges in the best-of-seven series.

2058 Ruthlandian Union Division Championship Series - Game 4

AROUND THE TOWN IN THE IPA

WYNNAMAC SUNDOWNERS

Owner: Granger Co-Operative Association
GM/Manager: Jerry Meeks

Wynnamac is a town of 86,000 residents and can be found about 50 miles inland from the Valerian Ocean, which is near the eastern coast of Ruthlandia. It is located in the northeastern part of the country in the Central Plains, which spans east to west across it and is a well-known farming region, filled with seemingly endless fields of ripe golden wheat and rustic farms. It is the "Breadbasket of Ruthlandia". Settled by a diverse band of hearty and hardworking Canadian and Australian immigrants, who worked "sunup to sundown". They became known as "Sundowners" because of their great work ethic and love for the land...and for their love of baseball and the homestanding Wynnamac Sundowners. The area is also a center for meat packing and dairy industries.

Life hasn't changed much here for a hundred years and probably won't change much in the next hundred years. Wynnamac is a member of the IPA's Ruthlandian East Division. The club plays at Granger Field, which is built right next to a grain processing plant with huge silos and a water tower with a gigantic ear of corn on it...all visible from the ballpark. The Sundowners are owned by the Granger Co-operative Association, farmers banded together for the common good.

At the concession stands you get nothing fancy...just soda pop, hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, peanuts, crackerjacks and ice cream. No beer or alcoholic beverages are permitted at the stadium. It is against the law in Wynnamac county and strictly enforced.

Wynnamac's General Manager and Field Manager is Jerry Meeks, the famed Sundowner southpaw, who piled up a 313-214 record with an outstanding 2.93 career ERA... in 2013 he captured the Ruthlandian Most Valuable Player Award and also the RU Golden Arm trophy... Meeks played in Wynnamac his entire career from 2008 to 2028 and was named to the IPA Hall of Fame in 2029... he took command of the Macs in 2050 and thus far has captured 5 pennants and one Pro Cup trophy (2055).

Capacity: 7,965
Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 355
Left Field - 375
Left Center - 415
Center Field - 404
Right Center - 375
Right Field - 350
Right Field Line - 325

Around the Town in the IPA

VALMARA VIPERS

Owner: Viper Offshore Services, headed by the estate of Capt. Stanislaw Lem, Ruthlandia Navy (ret)
GM: Vanya Vasylenko
Manager: Don Ritchie

Valmara is located in the northeastern part of Valdar Island, a port town of 81,000 people on Valmara Bay, an excellent deep water harbor. A clash of a warm Valerian Ocean current and a cold Kelnyck Ocean provides for heavy early morning fogs and sometimes nasty rainy weather.

The town began as a small fishing village in the 1880s and pretty much remained that way until the late 1930s. Valmara has never been considered a pleasant place to live with rocky soil, thick ocean fogs and moss growing everywhere. If not for its wonderful port, no one in their right mind would live there. The harbor and the port have brought commerce and jobs.The prime industries of Valmara revolve around the sea, be it catching and processing fish, servicing deep-ocean oil rigs or supporting the ten-ship navy of Ruthlandia.

With the threat of world war on the horizon in 1938, the Ruthlandian government established Valdarian Military Academy, a college for cadets and midshipmen studying for future service in the Ruthlandian Navy and Army.

During the Second World War, Ruthlandia was swept up in the maelstrom in the nation's first and only war. The nation sent a regiment of troops and a fighter squadron to England to aid the Allies. The Ruthlandian navy served proudly with the 2nd Polish Corps in the Italian campaign, especially at Monte Cassino. After the war, many Poles opted not to return to their Soviet-occupied nation and several hundred emigrated to Ruthlandia. Many of the ex-soldiers did not go far past Valmara when they got off the boat.

Over the next four decades, many Poles emigrated (or escaped) from behind the Iron Curtain to Ruthlandia. After two generations of migration and birth, more than half of the town is of Polish descent.

The Valmara Vipers are owned by the family of Capt. Stanislaw Lem, RN (ret.) of Viper Offshore Services. He was not related to the noted author of the same name, which often causes non-native reporters much trouble. The owner liked to be called "The Captain" in public. Lem made a small fortune after his navy career operating ships and helicopters that serve offshore oil rigs. Thanks to the vast supply of petroleum offshore, his company's profits have gone through the roof. The Captain had no problem coming up with money to buy a franchise in the Islandian Pro Alliance in 2001, the first pro baseball league in the Islands history. Valmara plays in the Ruthlandian Baseball Union in the North Division.

The Valmara Vipers trace their history from the frigate Viper, which had a team in the Naval League in the 1940's. When the amateur league players became semi-pros in the 1950s and worked and played baseball for companies, the Vipers were sponsored by Marine Midland Bank. The Captain played baseball for his service team in the 1960s and was active in the industrial leagues as a sponsor in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Since Captain Lem had been the captain of the frigate Viper in the late 1960s, when it came to naming his IPA franchise, it was a no-brainer. The Valmara Vipers were born.

The Vipers play their games at historic old War Memorial Stadium. Amateur and industrial league teams have used it for years. It is dedicated to the memory of the 121 men from Ruthlandia killed in action in the Italian campaign during the Second World War. It is a old stadium built for football and soccer, but improvised and used for baseball since 1946. The Captain commissioned noted architectural company HOK to renew the old park into a suitable baseball park. He spared no expense in updating the old stadium with modern technology and conveniences. Yet it still retains the charm of an old stadium.

Game-Day Experience:

Like many successful immigrants, the people of Valmara have fiercely adopted the values of their new nation. Ruthlandia's flag is navy blue and green. In Valmara, it's just taken to a ridiculous extreme. The team’s colors are navy blue and green. So are the water towers, the dockyard cranes, the street signs and the new city hall.

Captain Lem wanted to build a new ballpark, but the city fathers persuaded him to just refurbish the old stadium in the old part of town to be an anchor for a new mixed residential-commercial district. Civic pride got the best of the Captain and he agreed to use War Memorial Stadium. The civic renewal project was quite successful. Because there is little parking nearby, fans have to walk nearly a quarter mile to the park. On the way, they are treated to a dozen restaurants, bars, and pubs. The integration into the neighborhood is considered to be charming. The revitalization project has brought a good deal of commerce and energy into the east side of town. The worst of the neighborhood was torn down. The city fathers have expanded the renovations and given the old town a new look.

Food:
Fans love to scarf down bigos (cabbage and meat stew) and rye bread at cafes adjacent to the ballpark. Inside the park, everyone loves perogis (potato and cheese dumplings). The Captain persuaded Mama Kolski's Restaurant (home of the best perogis in town) to open a stand at his newly-renovated ballpark and it was a big hit.

Beer sales are strictly regulated by city ordinance to two beers per person. This is due to the locals’ love of pale lagers that are 9% alcohol. Also in recent years, draft Coors is a trendy choice.

Ambiance:
Music at the ballpark is best described as LOUD. The Captain installed a very modern, very powerful sound system at the refurbished stadium.

In 2001, a sound system operator substituted the Village People's "In the Navy" for the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch and started a new tradition. It was a college night at an industrial league game, with plenty of middies from Valdarian Military Academy on hand and many crewmembers from the frigates Viper and Foxx. It was a smash hit, no doubt fueled by a hot autumn evening, cold pale lager and the nine-run Viper lead. Since then, "In the Navy" has been played during the seventh inning stretch of every game save one -- the first game at the revamped War Memorial Stadium. The Captain hated the tune and thought with the public reopening that the club could stop playing that vile song. During the Vipers first exhibition game, the fans nearly rioted and the stadium's debut was marred with a near five-minute interruption of boos before play resumed. Wisely, The Captain made a quick command decision and allowed "In the Navy" to be played during the 8th inning break...and during every game since. Of course, the Captain saw to it that "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was restored to its revered seventh-inning spot.

In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on now, people, make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)
(written by Henri Belolo, Jacques Morali, Victor Willis)

Mascot

The Captain (he considers himself a traditionalist) did not believe in having a mascot until he put his own money into the old ball park. At that point, he had to figure out how to attract every dollar possible from every fan possible. So Vippy and Vippa Viper came into being. They parade around the ballpark entertaining the fans and leading cheers, dances and songs. Viper fans are noted for hissing at the umpires and the opposing teams. The Captain sells a lot Vippy and Vippa apparel and memorabilia...even rents them out to for birthday parties at the stadium.

History

Baseball on Valdar Island had a late beginning. Due to the Island topography, climate and lack of mineral deposits it was not as desirable as the Ruthlandian mainland, so it was bypassed by the immigrants until about 1910, when the towns of Valmara, Ancona, Kilkenny, Taranto and Ranford sprang up. From 1910 to 1920, touring amateur baseball teams from the mainland would play games from time to time and the game was introduced slowly. But it did catch on. In a desire to assimilate with the rest of the country, where baseball was like a religion, the Valdarians took to the game with passion and fervor. Amateur baseball clubs and company-based teams began to spout in abudance in the 1920s. By the mid-1940's Valdar Island baseball was as good as the Mainland.

The team was first managed by J. Jackson Samuel, a run-of-the-mill industrial league player that became a legendary manager. Samuel broke Jay Loman's record for the most Silver Whale Cups, given to the best amateur team on Valdar Island. Loman was the manager of the Ancona Red Elephants in the 1920s and won nine straight Valdar Island League titles. Samuel won 12 during his amateur career.

Samuel ran Valmara in the early days of the Islandian Pro Alliance, but only had modest success with five playoff appearances and two pennants in 16 seasons... in 2017 he retired and turned the reins over to one of the all-time great Vipers, Jet Kazmarek. who was a .350 career hitter in his 16 IPA seasons. Kazmarek was an 8-time All-Star and won the batting title 9 times. He is also the only .400 hitter in the annals of the league. Kazmarek batted an awesome .428 in 2002. He was inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame in 2027. Kazmarek skippered the Vipers to their first Pro Cup crown in 2026.

Kazmarek retained his GM title, but in 2036 turned the managerial duties over to Vanya Vasylenko, a former Valmara pitching star. Vasylenko starred for 20 seasons for the Vipers and compiled a 304-261 record with a 3.45 career ERA. Valmara captured three Pro Cup trophies during Vasylenko's tenure. The Vipers were IPA champions in 2043, 2049 and 2050. Valmara has accrued four Pro Cups and is tied with two other clubs for the most IPA crowns: Turon and North Hills.

At the helm of the current edition of Valmara Vipers is former outfielder, Don Ritchie, who played from 2041 to 2056, taking over in 2057. He has three Pro Cup rings and batted .289 lifetime with 97 homers, 1301 runs and 957 RBIs... Ritchie succeeded the very successful Uncle Vanya Vasylenko, who is now the General Manager.

War Memorial Stadium (1946)

Capacity: 9,595

Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 330
Left Field - 350
Left Center - 380
Center Field - 405
Right Center - 370
Right Field - 330
Right Field Line - 309

Pivotal game for the Wolves and Champions. :eatpop:

Pretty evenly matched teams... both are chocked full of hitters... pitchers having a tough time.

Champs may have more home-run power and a tad bit better pitching... and the homefield advantage... they play .675 ball at home... final two games there, if needed.

Game five at home will really be important to Midway... they don't want to head back to Arlon and have to win both games there.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, September 24, 2058

MACS AND SKIPS ADVANCE TO RU TITLE SERIES
Two Pro Cup powerhouses have fallen in the first round of play this year... Wynnamac eliminated Pro Cup favorite Volusia in a tense, 5-game series... and Crystal Lake lambasted the Valmara Vipers four games to one... the Macs and Skippers will now advance to the Ruthlandian Union title series.

They are still playing in the Tycobbian Union where Midway and Southport have three games to two leads in best-of-seven sets.

2058 Ruthlandian Union Division Championship Series: Game 5

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, September 25, 2058

SOUTHPORT TOPS LUXORA IN 6, MIDDIES AND CHAMPS GO TO 7
Southport had to be at the top of their game to defeat underdog Luxora in six games in first-round action in the Tycobbian Union... and Midway better be at their best against the Arlon Champions, who won a 13-inning thriller and forced a seventh-and-deciding game... this afternoon the Wolves will tangle with the Champs on their home diamond at Derby Downs in Arlon.

2058 Tycobbian Union Division Championship Series - Game 6