The Islandian Times

Monday, October 8, 2001

Islandian Pro Cup Series - Game Three

Volusia Wins 3rd Over Ginza in Pro Cup Series
So far it has been just about total domination in the first Islandian Pro Cup Series. Volusia walloped the Ginza Ninjas 8-2 at the Jailhouse for its third win in a row in the best-of-seven series and now needs only one more victory to take home the Island championship. The Vigilantes banged out 13 hits and rode the fine left arm of Lenny Collins to victory. Collins (2-1 3.20) corraled the Ninjas on four hits, fanned three and walked just one. At the plate first baseman Alejandro Salazar (.311) went 3-for-5, scored twice and drove in two, while catcher Jojo Nunez (.271) delivered two hits and two RBIs. Salazar hammered his fourth playoff home run. Going down to defeat was Kazuhiro Nakayama (1-2 4.45), who was slammed for five runs in his five-plus innings.

Things looked different in the first frame when Ginza put two quick runs on the scoreboard. Third baseman Kaz Ojima (.333) and left fielder Charlie Campbell (.297) drove in the runs for an early lead, but it didn't last long. Volusia rallied with one in the third and two runs in the fourth and never looked back.

Ninja skipper Huroko Uchiyama will try to stave off elimination tomorrow with his ace on the mound. Toshiharu Ito (1-2 0.99) will try to put a stop to the Vigilante rampage. On the hill for manager Alfonso Feliz will be his ace, Raul Sandoval (3-1 1.58), who will try to wrap up the series for the V's.

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, October 9, 2001

Volusia Sweeps Pro Cup Series from Ginza
It's over and how sweep it is! The Volusia Vigilantes defeated the Ginza Ninjas for the fourth straight time to capture the Islandian Pro Cup Series in a sweep. The V's ace, Raul Sandoval (4-1 1.50), took the hill and brought home the trophy. Sandoval worked eight innings in the 4-2 triumph, permitted 11 hits, but only two runs. He stranded 11 Ninjas on the bases. After Sandoval gave up two back-to-back singles to start the ninth, manager Alfonso Feliz made the easy call - he summoned his splendid closer in from the bullpen for the 57th time this season and Ricky Moreno did it again. Moreno (2-0 0.00) sealed the game and the championship. He got the first out on a liner to short, then wrapped up the title with a double play ball. Moreno did not give up a run in 13 innings and seven playoff relief appearances. It was his fifth save in the playoffs, giving him a total of 31 for the season.

As they did in game three, the Ninjas drew first blood when right fielder Takashi Fujimoto (.262) hit a solo homer in the first inning. But it was short-lived - the Vigilantes took the lead right back with three runs in the bottom of the inning and never relinquished it. Shortstop Scooter Perez (.371) and left fielder Winky Rush (.310) led off the inning with singles. First baseman Alejandro Salazar (.308) then doubled Perez home to tie it, second baseman Francisco Abreu (.364) drove in Rush on a grounder to first and right fielder Jesus Arroyo (.315) singled in Salazar for a 3-1 lead. In the fourth Ginza cut it to 3-2 when first baseman Kenshin Yamamoto (.262) doubled with one out, went to third on a single by center fielder Nick Winters (.300) and came home when shortstop Scooter Perez booted a grounder. Volusia tallied its final run in the fifth when Arroyo was hit by pitch with the bases loaded. Ninja starter Toshiharu Ito (1-3 1.57) did not fare well and sustained the loss. He gave up four runs and seven hits in six innings.

The V's ignited a huge celebration as they beat Ginza 4-2 to win the Islandian Pro Cup Series. Volusia won the series 4-0, capturing the first-ever Islandian Pro Cup. "We stepped it up at the right time...now we're the champs...it's a great feeling," the victorious manager Alfonso Feliz exclaimed to the press. The champs finished the regular season 78-72 and claimed second place in the Ruthlandian Union North, 5 games in back of the Far Mountain Redhawks (83-67).

In the jubilant clubhouse after the decisive game, the Vigilantes general manager Juan-Carlos De la Hoya proudly stated, "I am so happy for our city. Our great fans deserve this. I just hope they don't tear up the town celebrating too much." Volusia won 12 of 15 playoff games, defeating Marston 4-2 in the Elite 8, Far Mountain 4-1 in the Final 4 and sweeping Ginza 4-0. Ginza finished up with an 8-9 playoff record, whipping Fairfax 4-3 in the first round and South Fork 4-2 in round two. The Ninjas were 81-69 in the regular season, 5 games behind the Tycobbian East Division winner, the South Fork Stallions (86-64).

The Islandian Times

Thursday, October 11, 2001

Final IPA Leaderboards for 2001 Season

Ruthlandian Union

Batting Average
1. Scooter Perez (VOL) .374
2. Roland Thomas (MAR) .359
3. Dave Davis (FM) .355
4. Freddie Vaux (SV) .352
5. Gil Foster (ELN) .344
6. Chuck Hill (FC) .339
6. Rudi Oliver (SV) .339
8. Tucker Hill (CFX) .338
8. Ryan Morse (FC) .338

Runs
1. Dennis Cole (CFX) 116
2. Jan Szymanski (VLM) 110
3. Chuck Hill (FC) 109
4. Jet Kazmarek (VLM) 108
4. Yoshihide Nishida (WSK) 108
6. Blinky Brandon (CFX) 107
7. Scooter Perez (VOL) 105
7. Jorge Vargas (SV) 105
9. Ryan Morse (FC) 104

Hits
1. Tucker Hill (CFX) 216
2. Scooter Perez (VOL) 214
3. Ryan Morse (FC) 207
4. Freddie Vaux (SV) 200
5. Roland Thomas (MAR) 197
6. Jet Kazmarek (VLM) 188
7. Gil Foster (ELN) 187
7. Bobby Ritter (CLX) 187
9. Donny McCoy (CLX) 183

Doubles
1. Roland Thomas (MAR) 48
2. Alejandro Salazar (VOL) 47
3. Pat Lott (CFX) 46
3. Donny McCoy (CLX) 46
5. Yoshihide Nishida (WLK) 42
6. Winky Rush (VOL) 40
7. Marty McCluskey (CLX) 38
8. Jet Kazmarek (VLM) 37
8. Keith Olsen (CLX) 37

Triples
1. Jet Kazmarek (VLM) 26
2. Flipper Bird (SV) 18
3. Yoshihide Nishida (WLK) 16
3. Rick Sullivan (BB) 16
5. Alex Luna (VOL) 13
6. Tucker Hill (CFX) 12
7. Steve Kaminski (FM) 11
7. Jorge Vargas (SV) 11
9. Royce Benson (FM) 10

Home Runs
1.Nicky Swift (BB) 44
2. Big Hoss Burkhalter (WLK) 41
3. Dennis Cole (CFX) 39
4. Dixie Baker (CLX) 38
5. Chuck Hill (FC) 36
6. Phil Gravelli (BB) 33
7. Jorge Vargas (SBV) 32
7. Jesse Wolf (FC) 32
9. Quincy Peterson (ELN) 28

RBIs
1. Jan Szymanski (BB) 135
2. Big Hoss Burkhalter (WLK) 130
3. Dennis Cole (CFX) 128
3. Jorge Vargas (SV) 128
5. Dixie Baker (CLX) 123
6. Chuck Hill (FC) 118
7. Nicky Swift (BB) 107
7. Jesse Wolf (FC) 107
9. Quincy Peterson (ELN) 102

Stolen Bases
1. Jet Kazmarek (VLM) 70
2. Scooter Perez (VOL) 62
3. Tommy Reinhold (MAR) 53
4. Hawk Gallagher (FM) 52
5. Royce Benson (FM) 47
6. Chet Reynolds (GLS) 45
7. Yoshi Motsuzuki (VLM) 38
8. Gator Davis (FM) 36
9. Matty McDermott (BB) 34

Bases on Balls
1. Dennis Cole (CFX) 144
2. Floyd Vinson (CFX) 92
3. Blinky Brandon (CFX) 84
3. Gil Foster (ELN) 84
5. Nicky Swift (BB) 77
6. Chuck Hill (FC) 76
7. Donny McCoy (CLX) 75
7. Roland Thomas (MAR) 75
9. J. T. Edmonds (FC) 74

Strikeouts
1. Pat Lott (CFX) 169
2. Johnny Strickland (FC) 151
3. Jesse Wolf (FC) 150
4. Tommy Sonnier (SV) 142
4. Wiz Taylor (WLK) 142
6. Hawk Gallagher (FM) 140
7. Quincy Peterson (ELN) 134
8. Tommy Reinhold (MAR) 124
9. Tucker Hill (CFX) 123

Wins
1. Ron Benson (SV) 23-12 2.92
2. Nick Pace (MAR) 21-10 2.90
3. Zarek Zalewski (VLM) 20-7 2.87
4. John Luzzatti (FM) 19-9 3.30
5. Smokey Joe Carter (WLK) 18-14 3.32
5. Charles Darby (GLS) 18-16
5. Sonny Elliott (FM) 18-13 3.70
5. Raul Sandoval (VOL) 18-15 3.15
9. Glenn Moore (FC) 17-13 3.85

Saves
1. Ricky Moreno (VOL) 26 (5-5 1.76)
2. Gregg Neal (SV) 20 (10-7 2.43)
3. Ray Cook (GLS) 18 (4-5 2.01)
4. Walt Sellers (MAR) 16 (6-6 2.95)
5. Lou Zanelli (BB) 15 (8-9 3.52)
6. Andrei Marsiske (WLK) 14 (5-5 3.59)
6. Doc Rutledge (FM) 14 (7-7 2.82)
8. Danny Blauser (VLM) 13 (9-6 2.49)
8. Timmy Brooks (FC) 13 (5-6 2.00)

ERA
1. Jesse Balfour (GLS) 2.70 (16-12)
2. Jerry Smith (GLS) 2.79 (17-17)
3. Sonny Elliott (FM) 2.86) (18-13)
4. Zarek Zalewski (BLM) 2.87 (20-7)
5. Alex Vanzetti (CLX) 2.88 (8-2)
6. Nick Pace (MAR) 2.90 (21-13)
7. Ron Benson (SV) 2.92 (23-10)
8. Carl Thompson (BB) 2.98 (17-15)
9. Ray Watson (BB) 3.03 (10-7)

Shutouts
1. Nick Pace (MAR) 7 (21-13 2.90)
2. Tyrone Gray (ELN) 5 (9-19 4.46)
3. Charles Darby (GLS) 4 (18-16 3.70)
3. Sonny Elliott (FM) 4 (18-13 2.86)
3. Zarek Zalewski (VLM) 4 (20-7 2.87)
6. 14 tied with 3

Strikeouts
1. Ron Benson (SV) 268 (23-12 2.92)
2. Jesse Balfour (GLS) 243 (16-12 2.70)
3. Gary Hill (WLK) 234 (16-9 4.01)
4. Flash Guidry (CFX) 232 (16-17 3.56)
4. Carl Thompson (BB) 232 (17-15 2.98)
6. Johnny Szwak (CLX) 225 (14-10 4.16)
7. Pat Savoie (ELN) 223 (13-8 3.73)
8. Raul Sandoval (VOL) 215 (18-15 3.15)
9. Zarek Zalewski (VLM) 198 (20-7 2.87)

The Islandian Times

Thursday, October 11, 2001

Final IPA Leaderboards for 2001 Season

Tycobbian Union

Batting Average
1. Alan Hansen (BAY) .371
2. Gregg Vincent (FFX) .327
3. Warren Lee (FFX) .316
4. Lucky Collins (LC) .314
5. Tony Mann (BSC) .313
6. Eric Richter (LUX) .312
7. Jake Singleton (BSC) .309
8. Kenshin Yamamoto (GIN) .308
9. Chuck Hankins (BSC) .307

Runs
1. Alan Hansen (BAY) 129
2. Takashi Fujimoto (GIN) 96
3. Dwayne Coleman (BAY) 93
4. Billy Echevarria (FFX) 92
5. Shinjiro Aoki (GIN) 90
5. Charley Moon (BSC) 90
7. Stan Cobb (FFX) 89
7. Tony Mann (BSC) 89
7. Ronnie Patterson (OZK) 89

Hits
1. Alan Hansen (BAY) 206
2. Warren Lee (FFX) 190
3. Lucky Collins (LC) 183
4. Karl Detwiler (ARL) 179
5. Paul Hellenbeck (LUX) 178
5. Tony Mann (BSC) 178
7. Terry Braun (OZK) 176
8. Phil Kanaan (BAY) 171
8. Charley Moon (BSC) 171

Doubles
1. Doug Cunningham (OZK) 46
2. Stan Cobb (FFX) 42
3. Pedro Vizquel (LUX) 39
4. Ernie Hutchinson (FFX) 37
4. Charley Moon (BSC) 37
6. Ronnie Patterson (OZK) 36
7. Greg Reynolds (HAR) 35
8. Shinjiro Aoki (GIN) 34
8. Ken Bennett (BL) 34

Triples
1. Ernie Hutchinson (FFX) 13
2. Matt Merrill (ARL) 10
3. Charley Moon (BSC) 9
3. Alan Hansen (BAY) 9
5, Billy Echevarria (FFX) 8
5. Phil Kanaan (BAY) 8
5. Ronnie Patteson (OZK) 8
8. Terry Braun (OZK) 7
8. Ken Bennett (SF) 7
8. Takashi Fujimoto (GIN) 7
8. Jerry Keller (ARL) 7
8. Kaz Ojima (GIN) 7
8. Gregg Vincent (FFX) 7

Home Runs
1. Dwayne Coleman (BAY) 45
2. Gregg Vincent (FFX) 38
3. Glenn Holliday (SF) 36
4. George Lyons (BSC) 31
5. Doug Cunningham (OZK) 29
5. Rich Hart (LC) 29
7. Gator Davis (FFX) 28
7. Rodger Wooten (CC) 28
9. Ronnie Patterson (OZK) 27

RBIs
1. Dwayne Coleman (BAY) 131
2. Rich Hart (LC) 107
3. Gregg Vincent (FFX) 106
4. Ken Bennett (BL) 98
4. Gator Davis (FFX) 98
4. Jerry Keller (ARL) 98
7. Glenn Holliday (SF) 97
8. Rodger Wooten (CC) 95
9. Doug Cunningham (OZK) 91

Stolen Bases
1. Tom Fortunato (LUX) 65
2. Alan Hansen (BAY) 64
3. Greg Reynolds (HAR) 47
4. Shinjiro Aoki (GIN) 46
5. Lucky Collins (LC) 41
6. Paco Benitez (LUX) 40
7. Billy Echevarria (FFX) 38
8. Ronnie Patterson (OZK) 36
9. Chuck Hankins (BSC) 31

Bases on Balls
1. Alan Hansen (BAY) 115
2. Pedro Vizquel (LUX) 112
3. Glenn Burns (BAY) 102
4. Doug Cunningham (BAY) 89
5. Donnie Frazier (BL) 79
6. Stan Cobb (FFX) 78
7. Paul Giles (BL) 77
8. Takashi Fujimoto (GIN) 74
9. Ronnie Patterson (OZK) 73

Strikeouts
1. Bobby Riley (SF) 152
2. Doug Cunningham (OZK) 144
3. Rich Hart (LC) 143
4. Charley Moon (BSC) 140
5. Bama Hartley (ARL) 137
6. Gil Lantz (OZK) 129
7. Dwayne Coleman (BAY) 128
8. Scoop McDonald (GIN) 126
9. George Lyons (BSC) 125

Wins
1. Flint Battle (SF) 20-11 2.71
2. Kojiro Motsumoto (GIN) 19-11 3.00
2. Bennie West (BL) 19-10 2.87
4. Wally Robinson (CC) 18-10 3.12
5. Toshiharu Ito (GIN) 17-8 2.74
5. Jackie Leslie (FFX) 17-12 3.87
7. 7 tied with 16

Saves
1. Russ Courtney (BL) 20 (6-4 2.31)
1. Buzzy Lewis (BAY) 20 (6-8 3.06)
3. Takehide Takahashi (FFX) 18 (11-7 1.43)
4. Munoto Kishada (LC) 17 (7-11 3.62)
5. Alex DiMaggio (OZK) 16 (8-6 1.64)
5. Gene Young (HAR) 16 (8-4 2.11)
7. Ken Watkins (GIN) 15 (4-8 2.24)
8. Glenn Turnbull (SF) 13 (7-5 2.66)
8. Chris Van Arden (BSC) 13 (7-4 2.98)

ERA
1. Tito Tovares (LUX) 1.92 (7-10)
2. Vince Bernini (SF) 2.48 (12-6)
3. Ken Conner (SF) 2.63 (15-8)
4. Kazuhiro Nakayama (GIN) 2.68 (13-13)
5. Flint Battle (SF) 2.71 (20-11)
6. Toshiharu Ito (GIN) 2.74 (17-8)
7. Bennie West (BL) 2.87 (19-10)
8. Robbie Meredith (FFX) 2.92 (15-9)
9. Ken Olson (SF) 2.93 (16-14)

Shutouts
1. Craig Smith (ARL) 4 (16-13 3.56)
2. Flint Battle (SF) 3 (20-11 2.71)
2. Vince Bernini (SF) 3 (12-6 2.48)
2. Ken Conner (SF) 3 (15-8 2.63)
2. Gary Fountain (CC) 3 (12-12 3.64)
2. Sid Hyder (OZK) 3 (10-5 2.79)
2. Kojiro Matsumoto (GIN) 3 (19-11 3.00)
2. Johnny Montel (LUX) 3 (11-15 3.49)
2. Wally Robinson (CC) 3 (18-10 3.12)
2. Tito Tovares (LUX) 3 (7-10 1.92)
2. Bennie West (BL) 3 (19-10 2.87)

Strikeouts
1. Tony Nygaard (LC) 235 (12-10 3.67)
2. Bennie West (BL) 230 (19-10 2.87)
3. Kazuhiro Nakayama (GIN) 219 (13-13 2.68)
4. Wally Robinson (CC) 218 (18-10 3.12)
5. Vic Rousakis (GIN) 21 (16-16 4.13)
6. Jackie Leslie (FFX) 210 (17-12 3.87)
7. Ken Olson (SF) 207 (16-14 2.93)
8. Keith Calahan (LUX) 204 (16-13 3.31)
9. Craig Smith (ARL) 202 (16-13 3.56)

The Islandian Times

Thursday, October 11, 2001

V's Abreu MVP in Playoffs
The Volusia Vigilantes had a whole host of heroes in their playoff run to the Islandian Pro Cup crown. The V's swept the Ginza Ninjas of the Tycobbian Union East in four games and were sparked by second baseman Francisco Abreu, who was selected the Islandian Pro Cup Series Most Valuable Player in a vote by BNN. The 26-year-old Abreu received 25 votes in the poll of the baseball journalists and broadcasters. It was a close vote with six players in the running. Pitchers Raul Sandoval and Tommy Betanzos had 23 and 22 votes respectively, reliever Ricky Moreno 19 votes, first baseman Alejandro Salazar 18 votes and shortstop Scooter Perez accumulated 17 votes.

Abreu hit .364 with three home runs and three doubles, driving in 13 runs and scoring 11 times in 15 playoff games. Sandoval compiled an outstanding 4-1 record with a sensational 1.50 ERA and three complete games in six starts. Betanzos equaled Sandoval with a 4-1 won-lost mark and an impressive 2.21 ERA in five starts. Closer Moreno was brilliant, winning two games and saving 5. Moreno appeared in 7 games and did not give up a run in 13 innings. Salazar batted .308, hit five doubles and four homers with 10 RBIs and scored 9 times. Perez collected a .371 average, five doubles, two triples, four RBIs and scored 12 runs.

Volusia manager Alfonso Felix told reporters, "They all deserved the award. It truly was a team effort."

The Islandian Times

Friday, October 12, 2001

Colfax's Cole Cops RU Golden Bat Award
It will be quite a star-studded affair this weekend at the BNN annual awards dinner. All of the major award winners will be there to be honored for their outstanding achievements in the 2001 season. One of them will be Dennis Cole of the Colfax Blasters, who will be presented the Ruthlandian Union Golden Bat Award.

The 32-year-old Colfax first baseman ended the year with a .323 batting average, 161 hits, 39 home runs, 128 RBIs, .474 OBP and scored 116 times.

Alan Hansen of Bayview Wins TU Best Bat Trophy
The top batter in the Tycobbian Union in 2001 was Bayview's gifted second baseman Alan Hansen. For his standout play, he was voted the Golden Bat Award. He led the league in batting average, hits, runs scored and walks. Hansen was second in stolen bases.

Hansen starred this season with a .371 batting average, 206 hits, 51 RBIs, .481 OBP and 129 runs scored. He played in 144 games and completed the season with 26 doubles, 9 triples, one home run and 64 stolen bases.

The 23-year-old Hansen also won a Golden Glove on the Tycobbian Union All-Defense Team. He finished the season with .985 fielding percentage, second best in the league.

The Islandian Times

Saturday, October 13, 2001

Golden Arm Award Presented to Sugar Valley Star
The stars will be shining brightly this weekend at the BNN annual awards dinner. All of the major award winners will be there to be honored for their outstanding achievements in the 2001 season. One of them will be Ron Benson of the Sugar Valley Rattlers, who will receive the Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm Award.

He was the league's premier pitcher this past season with a 23-12 mark. He started 39 games, hurled 305 innings, fanned 268 strikeouts and crafted a 2.92 ERA. The 26-year-old Rattlers ace also held opponents to a .232 average and hurled three shutouts.

Benson led the IPA in wins, innings and strikeouts. He was second in complete games with 19.

South Fork's Battle Elbows His Way To TU Golden Arm Honors
Flint Battle of the South Fork Stallions dazzled the Tycobbian Union in 2001, stacking up win after win, finishing the season with 20 victories and 11 losses, numbers good enough to reap the Tycobbian Union Golden Arm Award.

Battle made 36 starts, hurled 282 innings and three shutouts, yielded 244 hits, struck out 165 batters, walked 80 and ended up with a 2.71 ERA. Teams hit .237 against him.

This weekend the 33-year-old righthander will be honored by BNN at its annual awards banquet.

The Islandian Union

Sunday, October 14, 2001

Sugar Valley's Bird Rakes in RU Rookie Award
The Ruthlandian Union's premier rookie will be honored this weekend at the annual BNN awards dinner. The 2001 trophy winner is Flipper Bird, 21-year-old shortstop for the Sugar Valley Rattlers.

He took the Rookie of the Year Award by batting .290 and collecting 163 hits, 29 doubles, 18 triples, 21 home runs, 61 RBIs, 59 walks, 102 runs scored and a .364 on-base percentage. Bird also stole 27 bases and participated in 143 games.

Hellcat Weaver Picks Up TU Rookie of the Year Award
Today BNN announced the winner of the Rookie of the Year Award. The premier rookie in the Tycobbian Union was the outstanding Hartsdale third baseman Whiz Weaver.

It was quite a year for the 19-year-old infielder. He finished out the regular season with a .289 batting average, 32 doubles, 3 triples and 27 home runs. Weaver also had 80 RBIs and scored 74 times, while playing in 138 games. He was also named the best fielding third baseman in the TU and was named a Golden Glove Award winner.

The Islandian Times

Monday, October 15, 2001

RU Golden Glove Awards Announced
The super defenders for 2001 have been selected by BNN. The Ruthlandian Union's finest fielders will be recognized at the annual sports awards banquet. The Golden Glove Award trophies will go to this group of stars:

Pitcher: Jesse Balfour - Glasco Athletics (.984 FA)
Catcher: Slingshot McFall - Sugar Valley Rattlers (.999 FA)
First Baseman: J.T. Edmonds - Forest City Lumberjacks (.996 FA)
Second Baseman: Tucker Hill - Colfax Blasters (.979 FA)
Third Baseman: Russ Ferrell - Colfax Blasters (.953 FA)
Shortstop: Pops Keller - Forest City Lumberjacks (.984 FA)
Left Fielder: Ox Beauvais - Glasco Athletics (.996 FA)
Center Fielder: Hawk Gallagher - Far Mountain Redhawks (.993 FA)
Right Fielder: Dixie Baker - Claxton Diamonds (.981 FA)

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, October 16, 2001

TU Announces 2001 Top Gloves
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. These defensive wizards will collect their 2001 Tycobbian Union Golden Glove Awards this weekend:

Pitcher: Jerry Harrison - Bayview Vikings (.985 FA)
Catcher: Smoke Zakharov - Arlon Champions (.993 FA)
First Baseman: Kenshin Yamamoto - Ginza Ninjas (.996 FA)
Second Baseman: Alan Hansen - Bayview Vikings (.985 FA)
Third Baseman: Whiz Weaver - Hartsdale Hellcats (.963 FA)
Shortstop: Bama Hartley - Arlon Champions (.985 FA)
Left Fielder: Matt Merrill - Arlon Champions (.996 FA)
Center Fielder: Teddy Braun - Ozarka Naturals (.993 FA)
Right Fielder: Gregg Vincent - Fairfax Frogs (.991 FA)

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, October 17, 2001

IPA Off-Season Begins Today
The playoffs are over and the first season is in the books for the Islandian Pro Alliance. Today starts the offseason. Players go on vacation, but general managers gear up for an exciting period of roster moves! The off-season is just about the busiest time for a GM. He must assess his players, coaches and manager to determine the areas of need and ways to improve his club in the coming season. The right moves now will pay off in future dividends.

The Blue Sox had a good year under manager Cobb Tyson, especially the second half of the season. They are looking good for the new season.

I am thinking about expanding the league to 64 teams. The Crystal Lake Crushers will be one of the expansion teams.

I am running a test league to see if I can expand it without any problems. If all goes well the second IPA season should have 64 teams and a 16-team playoff series with 8 division champs and 8 wildcats, 4 for each subleague.

The Islandian Times

Saturday, October 20, 2001

Trouble Brewing in the IPA
The Islandian Pro Alliance just completed a very successful inaugural season. Outstanding baseball - even better than the fans expected - and outstanding attendance. Most clubs played to full houses most of the time. Tickets were at a premium in most towns. Now there is a clamoring for expansion in the Islands. There are quite a few towns that were left out in the original setup and they would like to upgrade their industrial teams to the professional level. However, many of the most influential owners are not in favor of this as it will water down the caliber of play, might hurt attendance and it could run up the cost of doing business with increased competition for players.

Jock Ewing of Ewing Oil and the powerful patriarch of the Ewing family has said this is not a good time to expand the league. He told BNN, "Expansion is at least ten years off. A quick decision is this matter could kill the goose that laid the golden egg and should be approached thoughtfully and deliberately. We need to go slowly."

Currently the IPA has a monopoly on professional baseball granted by the Islandian Congress. The IPA can pretty much do as it wants as far as pro baseball in Islandia. But many very well-respected baseball men want to change that and have the influence and money to sway public opinion and the legislature. People like Bob Catlin of Beechwood, Robert Hanford and Arky Spanderson of Hillsboro, Billionaire Gates Billingham and Tory Joseph of Grand City, Griff Clarke of East Point, Dimitrios Vakros of Ancona, Onnie Anastas and Ashton "Whitey" Richburn of Turon, billionaire Andrus Valk of Valka and Hughie Howard and Jon Randison of White River.

So far they have not gotten anywhere with the Islandian Pro Alliance establishment, which has quite of bit of clout financially and politically, too. Those well-heeled moguls got their way in arranging the pro baseball monopoly. Now those that were left out originally are coming back for round two. The expansionists face a tough task as the Islandian Congress can be a hard bunch to change. Legislation is the Islands can be very slow and cumbersome. Look how long it took to get pro baseball through it - over 80 years. It has been rumored that a renegade rival pro league could be in the works.

Eugene, congrats on a successful first season with the league. I for one, really, really, enjoyed reading about the teams and the players. Nice to know that Crystal Lake might get a shot at a expansion team also. That'll give me a chance to root for two teams in the league. I'm looking forward to season two, keep it up.

Erik

Glad you are still aboard, Erik. Thanks for viewing in. I thoroughly enjoyed the first season, too.

It will take a little time to get the expansion teams set up. It really is a lot of work between seasons. But I am really looking forward to season number two.

The Islandian Times

Saturday, October 27, 2001

IPA Expansion Group Request Meeting with Commissioner Banford.
Sources within the IPA commissioner's office speaking on the basis of anonymity told BNN and the Islandian Times that Gates Billingham and his expansion group have contacted Commissioner John Banford and requested to meet with him to get the official view of the organization on its plans to incorporate more franchises and to spread professional baseball franchises throughout the Islands.

Billionaire Billingham has put together a powerful group that represents not only the larger towns, but the smaller towns, too. It is a diverse group with considerable influence financially and politically. In addition, the overwhelming majority of Islanders favor expansion and making all areas of Tycobbian and Ruthlandia represented in the IPA Pro Cup Series. Billingham cited that there are at least 36 other towns in the Islands that can support pro teams. Most of them are already part of his expansionary organization.

A recent BNN poll showed 87% of Islanders are in favor extending IPA franchises to all parts of Islandia. The Islandian Times has also commissioned a poll on the same subject and will release it next week.

Billingham said his group has the money to contest the IPA in court, if necessary. He said that would be the last resort as it could delay league expansion as much as ten years through prolonged litigation. Billingham favors direct talks with Commissioner Banford and the IPA. Failing that he said his group would attempt legislation to force the issue, although this could be a lengthy process, too.

Billingham was quoted as saying, "If a decision is rendered quickly in this matter, my group of owners would be ready to roll in time for the 2002 season."

Billingham said, "The ball is in the IPA's court."

The Islandian Times

Thursday, November 1, 2001

Pressure Put On Banford To Slow Down The IPA Expansionists
Unofficial sources close to the IPA Commissioner's Office told The Islandian Times that a group of owners instructed Commissioner John Banford to meet with Gates Billingham and his expansion group, but not to make any concrete decisions on the matter. The commissioner was advised to proceed slowly.

Some IPA owners, headed by Jock Ewing and Jorge Trujillo, are opposed to expansion of the Islandian Pro Alliance at this time. They are concerned with the availability of the player pool to support more teams. They are in favor of progressing slowly with the addition of two teams each year. Ewing and his group want to wait at least five years before considering expansion. They told BNN it would severely water down the caliber of play if it was done any sooner. Ewing said expansion should take place only after several seasons had been played and expansion had been thoroughly researched and studied.

In response, Billingham replied that his group of 35-40 potential owners had already done their home work. Billingham said there is an abundance of industrial league players that could complete quite well with the established IPA clubs. His expansionists did not see any problems in fielding quality teams. Billingham told The Times, "We have the owners, the players and the wholehearted backing of each community. There is no legitimate reason for not expanding the IPA. The towns without a franchise are ready, willing and able to support a team."

When told that 90% of the people polled by The Islandian Times strongly favored immediate IPA expansion, Ewing told the reporter, "It is easy to vote in a poll. It doesn't cost you any money to do that. However, to invest in a professional baseball team is an entirely different matter. Investors want to make sure their investments are wise and prudent. It is the responsibility of the current owners and the IPA commissioner to protect the league and not hastily respond to public pressure. The voters in this poll are not risking any money."

The Islandian Times

Thursday, November 8, 2001

IPA Commissioner To Meet With Expansion Committee
Islandian Pro Alliance Commissioner John Banford has scheduled a meeting with a group of investors who are interested in joining the professional baseball league. The expansion group is headed by billionaires Gates Billingham, Onnie Anastas and Andrus Valk. They will meet with the commissioner on November 15 at the IPA headquarters in Forest City. Four well-known and respected industrial league owners, Rickey Branch, Ryan Noland, Mack Connery and Bob Catlin will participate as well.

Spokesman Gates Billingham told The Islandian News the group represents 40 towns in the Islands that are ready to join the IPA and can be ready to play in the 2002 season. Billingham said, "We have been working on this project for the last year. Many towns were not included in the formation of the IPA last year. Our expansion group wants all of the Island towns to have a part in professional baseball. We have the players, the stadiums and the financial backing. All we need is the go-ahead from the commissioner's office. We understand that we will have to purchase franchises and are ready and willing to do so."

Billingham and his group face some strong opposition from several influential IPA owners, headed by Jock Ewing of the Waleska Westerers and Jorge Trujillo of the Belair Beach Sunbirds. Ewing told BNN, "We are not opposed to expansion, but think it should be done gradually a few teams at a time and spread over several years. Expanding next season would be too much of a rush and could lead to a lot of problems."

Billingham said his group has the financial backing and the organizational skills necessary to begin play by April. He said another important factor is that they also have the overwhelming support of the people of Islandia, who are disappointed their towns are not represented in professional baseball. Recent polls by The Islandian Times and BNN showed that 90% of the public strongly support IPA expansion.

Speaking with The Islandian Times, Billingham commented, "I know we will get a fair hearing from the commissioner. The IPA has the best man in the Islands running the league. There would be no IPA, if it hadn't been for John Banford. Our expansion committee has a convincing argument and great public support. And one day very soon we expect the IPA to expand."

The Islandian Times

Friday, November 9, 2001

IPA Commissioner Summons Owners: Will the IPA Expand?
Commissioner John Banford of the Islandian Pro Alliance held a press conference today at the league headquarters in Forest City and announced he is calling a special meeting of all the current 24 owners to discuss the pros and cons of the proposal presented yesterday to him by Gates Billingham and his expansion group. Billingham's group wants the IPA to consider adding teams for the coming 2002 season. His expansion group has lined up 40 towns in all that want to join the new professional baseball league.

Commenting on the meeting with the commissioner Billingham told reporters, "Commissioner Banford listened intently to our expansion proposals over a three-hour period, pinned us down on the details and finances and said he would call a special meeting of the current owners and share with them our plans. Banford gave no indication of his approval or disapproval of league expansion, but indicated it is a subject that will have to be studied soon as the public at-large has strongly indicated a preference for every town in the Islands to have its very own pro team."

Banford would not answer questions about his meeting with Billingham's group, saying only a special owners meeting would be called to discuss it. Banford hoped to schedule the meeting within two weeks.

Unofficial sources close to the commissioner said Banford was favorably impressed with Billingham and the expansion council. One source paraphrased the commissioner's and said he felt that they have a fine group of good baseball men. That he had dealt with them over the years in the amateur and company leagues and had nothing but good things to say about all of them."

Present at the expansion meeting were Rickey Branch of Mahaska, Ryan Noland of Rocky Rapids, Mack Connery of Red Bluff, Griff Clark of East Point and Bob Catlin of Beechwood.

The Islandian Times

Monday, November 12, 2001

IPA Owners Meeting Next Week in Forest City
An important meeting that could shape the world of pro baseball in the Islands is on tap next Monday at the Islandian Pro Alliance headquarters in Forest City. Commissioner John Banford called the meeting of all the current owners to discuss league expansion.

A group of potential owners led by Gates Billingham met last week with the commissioner and presented a plan of expanding the IPA from its present 24 teams to 64 teams. The expansion group said it had made all of the preparations to begin play next season.

The IPA league office has not weighed in on the subject, although there is a hard core of owners, who do not think this is a good time to jump into expansion and have said so privately. They fear the quality of play will be harmed by the influx of a mediocre talent pool. The Islandian Times polled all 24 teams and were told that 8 owners will fight tooth and nail to restrict expansion. There is a wide range of opinion for the rest of the owners ranging from strong support to lukewarm enthusiasm. The anti-expansionists want it done slowly over a ten-year period with only two teams added per year. Expansion would not begin for five years and would be phased in over a 20-year span.