Great kit for the Frogs franchise!

Yes, I was very fortunate to have a lot of really good graphics designers do my logos, jersey and caps... they were done by many of the truly gifted people in our OOTP Community.

This happened about 3 years ago... their wonderful work has made my league really enjoyable for me... I really get immersed in it because of their talented efforts.

About 15-20 of them contributed really good logos, jerseys and caps to my IPA dynasty.

Just look at the bland uniforms and graphics from the first 10 years of this dynasty report... I thought the pages came alive with the addition of the excellent graphics created by the great gurus.

It's certainly doubled my interest in this dynasty... and it increased the number of daily views, too... doubled it, at least.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 1, 2059

7TH-INNING STRETCH FOR IPA
After 5 months of hot-and-heavy action the Islandian Pro Alliance is getting down to the nitty gritty... September is upon us... and only 3 weeks are left in the regular season... just 20 games to go to decide the Pro Cup playoff teams... the Oxford Red Caps have a huge 12-game lead in the Tycobbian North... Valmara is 6 games up in the Ruthlandian North... likewise for Marston in the Ruthlandian East... defending Pro Cup champion Crystal Lake leads the Ruthlandian South by 5 games... Sligo is the Ruthlandian West leader and 4 games in front... over in the Tycobbian Union Ginza also has a 4-game edge in the TU South... according to professional oddsmakers, those clubs will probably win the pennants... and then we have the other two races where the outcome is certainly in doubt... in the Tycobbian East the Red Bluff Red Sox totally collapsed in August... they blew a 7-game bulge and now trail the High Mesa Mustangs by 1 game... there is also a very close race in the Tycobbian West, where Rolling Hills took a dive in August and got knocked out of first by Arlon... the Champions lead the Reds by 2 games and third place Denton City by 3.

Taking a whirlwind tour around the IPA... the big story is in the Tycobbian East... going into August Red Bluff (75-59) had a seemingly safe 7-game lead and they blew it... the Red Sox slumped badly to 11-17, while High Mesa (76-58) leaped past them by 2 games with a sensational 20-8 month... third Tuckanarra (72-62) posted a 17-11 mark and is still in the pennant chase... fourth place Midway (70-64) was 16-12, but they are 6 games back and its pennant chances are remote.

Tycobbian East Outlook:
High Mesa is hot and playing very well... they will win out over Red Bluff... the Mustangs can match the Red Sox on the mound and are better with the sticks.

There is also a fight to the finish in the Tycobbian West... the Rolling Hills Reds had a 2-game lead over Arlon last month... however, the Reds slumped to a 14-14 record, while the Champs went 18-10 and third place Denton City 17-11... now Arlon is 2 games better than Reds and 3 ahead of the Redbirds... Arlon took the lead despite losing one of their veteran starters J. C. Hilburn (11-10/3.46) to injury in early August... they also lost valuable closer Mack Blair (0-1/1.17 ERA/5 saves/10 G) in May.

Tycobbian West Outlook:
Arlon gets the call... the Champs are experienced in close races and playoff competition... they also are on a roll and have been one of the best teams in the IPA the last two months with a 38-19 record... Rolling Hills and Denton City are just not quite equal to the Champions... the Reds should beat out the Redbirds for the second spot in the standings... they have better pitching.

In August, the standings didn't change much in the Ruthlandian North... the first place Valmara Vipers (82-52) maintained its 6-game lead over the Glasco Athletics (76-58) and Far Mountain Redhawks (76-58)... the V's chalked up a 15-13 mark last month, while the A's were 17-11 and the Redhawks 16-12.

Ruthlandian North Outlook:
Valmara has too much firepower for Glasco and Far Mountain... all three are talented teams... but the Vipers have that 6-game lead... 'nuff said.

The Crystal Lake Skippers (74-60) sailed to an impressive 19-9 record in August and boosted its lead in the Ruthlandian South to 5 games over the Valka Blackhawks (69-65) and 7 games over the St. John Crusaders (67-67)... last month the Blackhawks finished 15-13 and the Crusaders 17-11.

Ruthlandian South Outlook:
The Skippers have righted the Good Ship Lollipop since that atrocious 8-20 posting in the merry month of May... the defending Pro Cup champion is a solid ball club and ready to go for its second straight IPA title... Valka and St. John are not likely to overcome the Crystal Lake lead.

In the Ruthlandian East race, it's down to just two teams... Cold Creek (79-55) shaved 3 games off Marston's 9 game lead with an impressive 19-9 showing for the month... however, the Nine (85-49) had a good month with 16-12 and retained a 6-game margin going in the September... third place Wynnamac (72-62) and fourth place Elnora (70-64) slipped further back in the race... the Macs were only 12-16 and the All-Stars 13-15 and now both clubs trail by double digits.

Ruthlandian East Outlook:
Statistically, teams with a 6-game bulge going into the last 20 games of the year win the pennant 95% of the time... I like that number... also like the Marston Nine, one of the best clubs in the IPA this year and one of the favorites to win the Pro Cup... Cold Creek has come a long way this year and is on the rise, but the Catamounts are not likely to overcome that big Marston lead.

The Sligo Rovers (76-58) are still on top of the Ruthlandian West by 4 games over the Colfax Blasters (72-62)... last year's division winner Volusia (71-63) is running 5 games behind... none of them played well in August... the Rovers and Blasters were only 11-17... the Vigilantes 12-16.

Ruthlandian West Outlook:
Superior pitching can win a lot of ball games... Sligo has a standout staff... the Rovers are headed for the postseason playoffs for the first time since 2040... they should hold off Colfax and Volusia.

It's no contest in the Tycobbian North where Oxford (86-48) has totally dominated this year... the Red Caps rolled to an 18-10 mark in August and are 12 games in front of the runner-up Fairfax Frogs (74-60)... the Frogs also stood out with 18-10... last year's TU North flag winner Luxora (68-66) really fell to the wayside with only 10 wins and 18 losses... The Zorros are now 18 games off the pace and tied for third with Blue Lake (68-66).

Tycobbian North Outlook:
I'll go out on a limb and make a daring prediction: Oxford will win the TU North... you would probably agree with me.

Things have tightened up in the Tycobbian South Division... the Ginza Ninjas went into August with a healthy 7-game edge over second place Turon (75-59), but the Typhoons narrowed it to just 4 games with a strong 18-10 record... the Ninjas were 15-13... Summerland (73-61) and Cape Coral (72-62) still have slight chances of taking the pennant, but are 6 and 7 games out respectively... the Sunsets compiled a 16-12 mark last month, while the Hurricanes came in at 15-13.

Tycobbian South Outlook:
Don't you hope the Karate Kids hold off the Turon Typhoons... this may be right down to the wire... but I think Mr. Miyagi will come through for us... Ginza still looks like the better ball club... Summerland and Cape Coral have too many shortcomings and too much ground to make up... the Sunsets can't hit... and the 'Canes can't pitch a lick... neither will catch the Ninjas.

Rutlandian Union Standings (September 1st)

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 1, 2059

ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE PLAYER AND TEAM LEADERBOARDS
Ruthlandian Union (top image)
Tycobbian Union (bottom image)

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 1, 2059

BEST OF THE MONTH STARS HONORED
Another month has come and gone in the Islandian Pro Alliance... the league has honored the standout stars for the month of August... the Batters of the Month were Franco Briganti of the Ancona Red Elephants and Kagetoki Miyazaki of the High Mesa Mustangs... taking the Pitcher of the Month trophies were Jonathan Burnett of the Glasco Athletics and Jeff Moncriffe of the Southport Sun Sox... and Jeff Cress of the Ranford Bulls and Johnny Pendergrass of the Summerland Sunsets bagged the Rookie of the Month Awards... Pendergrass had won it four times this season.

RU Batter of the Month:
Ancona left fielder Franco Briganti used and abused Ruthlandian pitchers to the tune of a .363 BA with 37 hits, 10 homers, 17 RBIs and 21 runs... for the season in 124 games he is batting .330 with 24 home runs and 81 runs driven in.

TU Batter of the Month:
High Mesa third sacker Kagetoki Miyazaki hit .321 in August with 15 roundtrippers, 31 RBIs and scored 25 runs... in 129 Miyazaki has 45 roundtrippers, 108 RBIs and a .308 batting average.

RU Pitcher of the Month:
Glasco right-hander Jonathan Burnett went 5-1 in 6 starts and a superb 1.80 ERA for the month and improved his season mark to 15-5 with a 3.00 ERA... Burnett is a 4-year IPA veteran with an overall 56-42 record and a solid 3.49 ERA.

TU Pitcher of the Month:
Southport southpaw Jeff Moncriffe earned the spotlight with a 5-0 record and a brilliant 0.75 ERA during August... upping his season stats to 11-7 with a 3.28 ERA... the 23-year-old is in his second season with the Sun Sox.

RU Rookie of the Month:
Ranford right fielder Jeff Cress put up a fine month of stats with a .433 BA, 1 home run, 7 RBIs and 10 runs scored... he went 26 for 60 during this stretch... in 80 games this season the Bulls' newcomer has batted .336 with 4 homers, 29 RBIs and scored 40 runs.

TU Rookie of the Month:
No surprise here... for the 4th time in 5 months the best Tycobbian freshman is Johnny Pendergrass, Summerland's sensational right fielder... in August he batted .316 with 7 HRs, 18 RBIs and tallied 16 runs... Pendergrass has had an excellent rookie season with a .324 mark at the plate, 23 HRs, 63 ribbies, 71 runs and 14 stolen bases, while playing in 114 games.

Ruthlandian Union Top Performers in August

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 15, 2059

CRUNCH TIME IN THE IPA
It's time to put up or shut up in the Islandian Pro Alliance... it's a crucial time for all the pennant-winning wannabes... it's the final week of the season... the way teams play this week will make or break the season... it's crunch time for the current Pro Cup holder Crystal Lake and four other challengers, Valka, Denton City, Rolling Hills and Arlon... the 2059 season is on the line... only 7 games are left to play.

6 teams have probably locked up the division titles: Valmara has a 7-game lead in the Ruthlandian North... Marston is also up by 7 in the Ruthlandian East... Sligo by 4 in the RU West... in the Tycobbian North, Oxford is ahead by a whopping 12 games... High Mesa has ballooned to a 6-game margin in the Tycobbian East... and the Karate Kids, the Ginza Ninjas... YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!... are in front by 5 games in the Tycobbian South... my thanks to the Beatles and Mr. Miyagi.

But we also have several intensive duels around the IPA... Crystal Lake is tied with the Valka Blackhawks in the Ruthlandian South... so are Denton City and Rolling Hills in the tightly-tangled Tycobbian West... with last year's division winner Luxora just barely hanging on in the race, 3 games behind the Redbirds and the Reds.

The Crystal Lake Skippers are on the rocks in the RU South... they are staggering with a 6-7 September record... the fast-closing Valka Blackhawks are swooping in wins like crazy... the Skippers are going to have to play like Pro Cup champions to stave off the high-flying Blackhawks... Valka is a standout 11-2 this month... over in the Tycobbian West the Denton City Redbirds are on a tear, too, piling up an 11-2 mark... Rolling Hills is right there with them at 10-3... last year's TU West champ Arlon has swooned in September, going 5-8 so far... they dropped from first place to third place, 3 GB with only 7 to go.

Hey, the cokes are in the icebox and popcorn's on the table... my thanks to swingin' Sammy Cooke for that phrase... let's all party hearty this week watching crunch time in the Islandian Pro Alliance, my favorite dynasty report. :D

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, September 16, 2059

DOWN-THE-STRETCH IN THE IPA

SKIPS AND REDS TAKE OVER TOP SPOTS
September crunch time in the IPA has brought out the best in the Crystal Lake Skippers and the Rolling Hills Reds... in the Ruthlandian South race, the Skips (81-67) whipped Rocky Rapids 5-2 to take first place away from the Valka Blackhawks (80-68)... and in head-to-head play in the Tycobbian West, the Reds (84-64) shut out rival Denton City (83-65) 4-0 to go up by one game.

Crystal Lake slammed three homers to topple the Snappers... Jim Clary, Mel Brouwer and Gib Conlon all went deep in the 4-run eighth inning to break open the game... Robin Norborne (15-12/3.78) nailed down the crucial victory, working 7 strong innings and allowing 2 runs... Yuri Kirchoff (5-4/1.93 ERA/51 G) finished up with 2 scoreless frames and picked up his 28th save.

On the road in Grand City, Valka ran into too much pitching by Steve Shirley (3-3/3.20), who stopped them on one run and three hits in his 7 innings to smack the Blackhawks 6-1 and knocked them out of a tie with Crystal Lake for the top spot in the RU South... only 6 games are left in the regular season... Oxford and Marston are the only teams to clinch a spot in the IPA Pro Cup playoffs.

On the road at Douglas Denton Field in Denton City, Rolling Hills salvaged the third game of the critical series with the hometown Redbirds and took a one-game lead in the TU West pennant race... it was all Rob Gates (15-5/3.58)... not only did he blanked the Redbirds 4-0 on just two hits, the big 6-5 right-hander also slammed a two-run homer out of the park... Denton City won the opener 2-1, but dropped the last two, 1-0 and 4-0.

In other IPA action, four of the division leaders were victorious... two of them lost, but didn't lose any ground to their challengers... Ginza fell to Fairfax 9-8 in 10 innings and Valmara lost to Wynnamac 6-4... in the TU South, the Ninjas (91-57) are still up by 5 games over Turon (86-62), who were beaten by the East Point Panthers 5-3 in 10 innings... the Valmara Vipers (90-58) have a 6-game lead over second place Far Mountain (84-64) in the RU North... division winner Marston (94-54) defeated Ancona 4-1 and has an 8-game edge over runner-up Cold Creek (86-62) in the RU East... Sligo (85-63) bested Middlefield 9-8 in 10 innings and is still 4 games up on second place Colfax (81-67) in the RU West... the High Mesa Mustangs belted South Fork 8-1 and is 6 games ahead of Red Bluff in the TU East race... and runaway winner Oxford defeated Cape Coral 8-6 in 10 innings... the Red Caps have a huge 12-game margin in the TU North.

Let's go Ginza! Im proud of my Karate Kids :friday:

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, September 17, 2059

DOWN-THE-STRETCH IN THE IPA

VIPERS AND MUSTANGS WIN DIVISION FLAGS
Yesterday two more clubs were added to the Islandian Pro Alliance postseason playoffs... the Valmara Vipers and High Mesa Mustangs joined division champions Oxford and Marston in the Pro Cup playoffs... Valmara nipped Rocky Rapids 6-5 to wrap up the Ruthlandian North title and High Mesa walloped Mahaska 9-5 to clinch the Tycobbian East... four divisions in the IPA are still up for grabs with less than a week to go in the regular season.

In the closest race going in the IPA, the Rolling Hills Reds (85-64) stayed one game ahead of the Denton City Redbirds (84-65) in the Tycobbian West... the Reds polished off Hartsdale 5-1, using four pitchers to claim the win... little-used Donald Saner (1-3/6.50) got the win, but struggled in his 5 innings with 3 walks and 6 hits... Teddy Stonich (.368) led them at bat with a double, triple and 2 RBIs... the Redbirds got a 10-strikeout performance from Robert Currie (9-6/3.78) in a 4-3 triumph over the Kenwood Wildcats... and closer Burnell Kelley got his 38th save of the season.

In the hotly-contested Ruthlandian South, Crystal Lake (82-67) extended its lead over the Valka Blackhawks (80-69) to 2 games with a 7-6 decision over the Marston Nine... Mel Brouwer (.308) led the Skippers attack with four hits, 2 homers and 3 RBIs... he has 33 roundtrippers and 104 RBIs... a 6-run fifth saved the day for Crystal Lake as they rallied from a 4-0 deficit... the Blackhawks lost a close one 5-4 to the Sligo Rovers with Clark Harrington (13-10/3.39) suffering the loss... he tossed 8 innings and was rapped for 5 runs... the Rovers won despite issuing 11 bases on balls... Sligo (86-63) is the leader in the RU West with a 4-game margin over second place Colfax (82-67)... at home, the Blasters turned back Sugar Valley 4-2 yesterday with a solid performance by winning pitcher Thom Harlin (7-7/4.15).

In one of the undecided races, the Karate Kids, the Ginza Ninjas (92-57), continued to roll in the Tycobbian South with a 5-2 victory over Blue Lake... it was their 8th triumph in 9 games... portsider Kenny Cabot (11-8/4.22) chalked up the win by holding the Blue Sox to just 2 runs in 8 innings... the Ninjas bashed out 15 hits in the triumph, sparked by Gerry Glidden (.272) with 4 hits and Tamotsu Saikawa with 3... Ginza is still 5 games up on second place Turon with only 5 games left on the schedule... a Ninja win or a Typhoon loss will give the regular-season division flag to Ginza, their first since 2031... yesterday the Typhoons bombed Red Bluff 10-3 to keep pace with Ginza.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, September 18, 2059

SLIGO, GINZA CINCHES PLAYOFF SPOTS
6 down, 2 more to go... the Sligo Rovers and the Ginza Ninjas became the 5th and 6th teams to make the Pro Cup playoffs... Sligo nudged past the Valka Blackhawks 3-2 with Mickey Walsh (17-7/1.88) winning his 250th game in his Islandian Pro Alliance career... he shut down the Blackhawks on 7 hits in a route-going performance... Dallas Patton cracked a two-run two-bagger in the top of the 7th to send Valka down to a heartbreaking defeat... the Blackhawks are now 3 games back of Crystal Lake in the Ruthlandian South race with only 4 games left on the schedule... Valka has lost three straight games.

And it's all over in the Tycobbian South, too, where Ginza beat Blue Lake 6-1 behind the impressive pitching of Yoshiro Makihara (16-11/2.64), who went the distance, holding the Blue Sox to 5 hits... Kentaro Koga and Kuzuki Tamura sparked the Ninjas' 11-hit attack with solo homers... this is the first division title in 28 years for Ginza... the Ninjas haven't made the postseason since 2031... Ginza finished the season with a flourish... 9 victories in the last 10 games.

Crystal Lake (83-67) added another game to its lead over Valka (80-70) in the Ruthlandian South Division... the Skippers pulled out a ninth-inning victory 8-7 over the tough Marston Nine, winning on a sac fly by Speedy McCormick... it was their fifth win in a row.

In the seesaw battle in the Tycobbian West, it's all tied up again... Denton City (85-65) drubbed Kenwood 5-1, while Rolling Hills (85-65) was routed by Hartsdale 11-6... Carl Coons helped the Redbirds get back into a first-place tie with his 20th victory of the season... he tossed six solid innings, allowed only one run and five hits... Pee Wee Crenshaw (.268) homered and drove in a pair of runs for the Redbirds... the Hellcats really put it on the Reds, slamming five pitchers for 14 hits, led by Walt Ivy with four hits and 3 RBIs.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, September 19, 2059

SKIPPERS WIN RU SOUTH, WILL THEY REPEAT?
It wasn't easy, but the reigning Pro Cup champion Crystal Lake Skippers won the Ruthlandian South and will get the chance to win its second straight Pro Cup trophy... the Skips nipped Marston 1-0 with the only run in the game coming in on an Alex Mundy (.329) double in the second frame... Jed Hartwick outhurled Billy Rogen in a masterful duel... Hartwick (17-8/2.92) captured his 8th straight victory with a 4-hitter... Rogen (9-11/3.43) was just about as stingy and only gave up 4 hits and one run... Crystal Lake's (84-67) win and the Valka (80-71) loss gave the Skippers the RU South division title.

Valka dropped their fourth consecutive game... they blew a 6-0 lead to the Sligo Rovers and lost 7-6 in 10 innings... Paddy Dunham (.270) doubled in the winning run... the Rovers pounded out 18 hits, led by Artie Hartwell (.267) with four hits, including a home run and 3 singles.

7 of the 8 slots for the IPA Pro Cup playoffs have now been decided... only the Tycobbian West has to determine its champion... Denton City (86-65) is now in the lead by one game over Rolling Hills (85-66)... the Redbirds chalked up their third successive victory, whipping Kenwood 5-2 behind the fine pitching of Flash Stringfellow (19-8/3.03)... the Wildcats only managed 2 runs and 6 hits off of him in his 7 innings... Stringfellow was backed up by home runs by Vincent McCloud (.307) and Val Anniston (.286).

Rolling Hills bit the dust at home and slipped back to second place... the Reds were edged out 7-6 in 11 innings by the Hartsdale Hellcats... Walt Ivy (.275) doubled in the winning run for the Hellcats... and Al Wakefield (.250) rapped a 3-run homer... Ivy and Cooter Eldridge (.279) both has 3 hits in the ballgame.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, September 20, 2059

DOWN-THE-STRETCH IN THE IPA

REDBIRDS CLING TO 1-GAME LEAD IN TU WEST
Wins are a precious commodity in the Tycobbian West catfight between Denton City (87-65) and Rolling Hills (86-66)… nobody can afford to lose... both clubs racked up victories yesterday... with only 2 games to go, the Redbirds have a 1-game lead over the runner-up Reds... this is the only division in the IPA that hasn't been decided... the clubs are playing for a spot in the Pro Cup playoffs.

Denton City posted its 4th straight win, overpowering La Claire 8-3 with 4 roundtrippers at Douglas Denton Field... Winky Biggio (.281), Ozzy Crenshaw (.343), Josh Karnes (.284) and Vincent McCloud (.309) all went deep against the Lynx, who were outhomered 4 to 3 in the game... the Redbirds got a good effort from Rance Hasbrough (15-13/3.39), who went all the way... he gave up 11 hits, but only 3 runs... all of them on home runs.

The Rolling Hills Reds are sticking right with the Redbirds... they got solid mound work from three pitchers... starter Rob Gates (16-5/3.48) got credit for his 7th consecutive victory... he was touched for 7 hits in 5 innings, but gave up only one unearned run... Donny Joe Nelson and Donald Saner saved it for him with 4 scoreless frames... Jean-Luc Roubique (.298) and Teddy Stonich (.367) supplied the runs with homers... it was Roubique's 21st and Stonich's 48th.

Denton City will close out the season at home against La Claire (72-80), while Rolling Hills will be on the road against the Chicopee Braves (59-93)... just two games are left on the regular season schedule... that why wins are so precious.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, September 21, 2059

DOWN-THE-STRETCH IN THE IPA

TU WEST UNDECIDED, 1 GAME TO GO
Yesterday the Denton City Redbirds (87-66) missed a golden opportunity to capture the Tycobbian West Division title... a victory over the last place La Claire Lynx (73-80) would have sent them to the IPA Pro Cup playoffs... instead they lost 3-1 to the Lynx and gave second place Rolling Hills (86-67) another day of life.. the Reds also misfired, getting whipped by the last place Chicopee Braves (60-93).

La Claire's young portsider Tommy Trantham (11-8/3.04) stopped the Redbirds on just one run and 5 hits... he shut them out until the 9th and beat them 3-1, putting stop to Denton City's 4-game winning string... Robert Currie (9-7/3.75) took the crucial loss, yielding 3 runs on seven hits in 8 innings of work... Pat Delaney (.239) paced the Lynx with a 2-run roundtripper.

Rolling Hills started of like a ball of fire, rolling up a 4-0 lead after 3 and a half frames, but couldn't hold it... Chicopee bounced back with two homers and 5 runs in the bottom half of the inning to go up 5-4... they added 2 insurance runs in the 8th and then held off the Reds' rally in the 9th... Kohana Chaska (.259) belted a 2-run shot in the 4th and Frank Luckett (.237) added a 3-run swat, both off the Reds' ace Vance Dillaway (15-12/3.28)... Rolling Hills piled up 19 hits off 3 Braves pitchers, but stranded 14 baserunners... Teddy Stonich (.369) led them with 3 hits and 2 RBIs, including his 49th homer of the season... the Reds have lost 3 of their last 4 games.

Denton City will try to wrap up a spot in the postseason this afternoon at home at Douglas Denton Field... 20-game winner Carl Coons (20-5/2.11) gets the crucial starting assignment... La Claire will counter with its top pitcher Hank Raborn (15-11/2.74)... Rolling Hills only chance is for the Redbirds to lose... if that happens, the Redbirds could force a single-game playoff with a victory over Chicopee... left-hander Tommy Otis (10-3/4.02) will try to keep the Reds alive... the Braves will send Johnny Brown (8-14/4.42) to the hill... the game will be played at Brewster Street Park in Chicopee.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 22, 2059

DOWN-THE-STRETCH IN THE IPA

REDS WIN, REDBIRDS LOSE, FORCE PLAYOFF IN TU WEST
Thanks to the hapless La Claire Lynx, the Rolling Hills Reds are alive and kicking in the Tycobbian West pennant race... on the final day of the regular season, the Lynx defeated Denton City 6-1 and spoiled their chance to cop the division flag and a spot in the IPA postseason playoffs... Rolling Hills sneaked by the Chicopee Braves 3-1 and forced a single-game playoff this afternoon.

30-year-old veteran southpaw Tommy Otis (11-3/3.85) was right on target... he kept Rolling Hills in the hunt for the TU West title, halting Chicopee 3-1 on the road to tie Denton City for the top spot in the division... Otis went the distance, giving up just 6 hits... trailing 1-0, the Reds put runs on the board in the fourth, fifth and seventh frames... Jameson Mulbert (.299) and Gil Arthur (.268) drove in runs for the Reds... Braves starter Johnny Brown (8-15/4.33) also tossed a complete game in defeat.

All Denton City needed was a victory yesterday, but they couldn't deliver... La Claire battered 20-game winner Carl Coons (20-6/2.23) for 5 runs in 8 innings and forced the Redbirds into a do-or-die playoff this afternoon... Hank Raborn (16-11) recorded the victory, working the first 6 frames and only giving up one run... he departed for a pinchhitter with a 3-1 lead... Lanny Phipps and Tim Halliburton blanked the Redbirds the last 3 innings to seal the verdict... Wilmer Burgess (.306) and Pat Delaney (.243) both had 2 hits and 2 ribbies to lead the Lynx.

Denton City will host the single-game playoff... visiting Rolling Hills will have Rob Gates (16-5/3.48) on the hill, facing the Redbirds #1 starter Flash Stringfellow (19-8/3.03)... the two clubs have split 6 games this season... the winner will win the TU West Divison and claim a spot in the IPA Pro Cup playoffs.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, September 22, 2059

Click on Box Score to Enlarge it

I apologize for not acknowledging your post.so late.. I just saw it today, when I going back to see what the Pro Cup predictions were last year.

Thank you for your very nice comment.

Much appreciate it.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, September 24, 2059

PRO CUP PLAYOFFS COMMENCE THURSDAY
This is that magical time of the baseball season where 8 towns around the Islands abound with abundant asperations, hopes and dreams... their beloved hometown team has a chance to make history and be the best in the land... optimism is rampant at this wonderful time of the year... the Islandian Pro Alliance Pro Cup playoffs will begin tomorrow afternoon at four venues around the Islands... in the Ruthlandian Union, the Valmara Vipers (94-60) will play host to the reigning Pro Cup holder, the Crystal Lake Skippers (85-69), who are back for a chance to repeat as champion... and the Sligo Rovers (88-66) will travel to Marston (95-59) in first-round action... in the Tycobbian Union, it will be Oxford (97-57) at home against the Ginza Ninjas (96-58) and Denton City (88-77) on the road in High Mesa.

There are a lot of new faces this year in the postseason... only two clubs were in it last year... champ Crystal Lake and Valmara... only two teams have made it in the last decade... Oxford and Denton City were in the playoffs in '57... High Mesa last appeared in '48, Marston in '47, Sligo in '41 and Ginza, way back in '31.

This year's lineup of teams is very well-balanced... this year's Pro Cup is truly up for grabs... anybody can win... Oxford, the team with the best offense has the worst pitching... Sligo, the club with the best pitching has the worst offense... last year Crystal Lake captured the Pro Cup with its potent offense and average pitching... can Oxford do it this year?... going by the numbers Marston looks to be the top team... excellent offense and solid pitching, but possesses a lackluster defense... High Mesa could be in the mix, too, with its good bats, good arms and good defenders... along with Valmara with its explosive offense, pretty fair pitching and average defense... can defending champion Crystal Lake pull off another surprise with its home-run power, solid pitching and good defense?


2059 IPA Pro Cup Predictions:

1. Marston Nine: .286 BA (1st), 118 HR (21st), 755 runs (5th), starters 3.18 ERA (2nd), bullpen 3.08 ERA (6th), .273 FA

2. Valmara Vipers: .273 BA (5th), 192 HR (1st), 823 runs (1st), starters 3.46 ERA (6th), bullpen 3.19 ERA (9th), .976 FA

3. High Mesa Mustangs: .258 BA (17th), 195 HR (4th), 714 runs (7th), 3.37 ERA (2nd), 3.03 ERA (9th), .978 FA

4. Oxford Red Caps: .275 BA (4th), 244 HR (1st), 871 R (1st), starters 393 ERA (18th), bullpen 4.00 ERA (26th), .975 FA

5. Crystal Lake Skippers: .272 BA (6th), 138 HR (11th), starters 3.59 ERA (9th), bullpen 2.44 ERA (3rd), .978 FA

6. Denton City Redbirds: .259 BA (15th), 161 HR (10th), 692 runs (12th), starters 3.56 ERA (7th), bullpen 2.39 ERA (2nd), .976 FA

7. Sligo Rovers: .253 BA (27th), 126 HR (17th), 602 runs (27th), starters 2.71 ERA (1st), bullpen 3.09 ERA (7th), .978 FA

8. Ginza Ninjas: .270 BA (7th), 123 HR (23rd), 698 runs (11th), starters 3.52 ERA (5th), bullpen 3.87 ERA (23rd), .979 FA