The Islandian Times

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Rocky Rapids Hurler Tops in Golden Arm Award Voting
Charley Boyer of the Rocky Rapids Snappers might be an old man, but he can still pitch with the best of them. Today the 37-year-old hurler snagged the Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm Award honors for his outstanding 2007 performance. He posted a 1.70 ERA with 19 wins, 7 losses, 145 strikeouts and 73 walks in 296 innings. Over his 6-year-career Boyer is 63-56 with a 3.17 ERA.

Emmett Yates of the Grand City Cybercats came in second in the BNN survey. He had a remarkable 19-6 mark with a 2.09 ERA and was a great part of Grand City's rise to second place in RU South race. Yates was named the 2007 Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year.

Capturing the third spot in the vote was Colfax's fine 28-year-old right-hander Ilya Szabo. He was 23-9 on the season with a sparkling 2.14 ERA. Szabo struck out 205 batters in his 299 innings. His career record is 71-42 in five seasons with Colfax. Lifetime Szabo carries a superb 2.62 ERA.

TU Presents Top Pitcher Trophy To Spears
With speculation about his retirement gaining steam last off-season, Haymakers ace Johnny Spears had something to prove. He proved it in award-winning style as he accepted the Tycobbian Union Golden Arm Award today. The 35-year-old veteran Mahaska hurler posted a sensational record of 22 wins and 4 losses this year with a 1.74 ERA. In 33 starts he struck out 154 and walked 45 in 254 innings. Overall Spears is 63-39 in six seasons with an outstanding 2.67 ERA. He has only been starting the last two years.

Oxford's standout Dan Phillips came in second with a 24-10 record and a 2.45 ERA. Phillips led the Red Caps to another TU North pennant. He hurled 330 innings and totaled 147 strikeouts. The six-year vet has piled up a 100-66 record with a 3.31 career ERA.

The third spot in the BNN balloting went to Titus Bristow, Tuckanarra's excellent 26-year-old right-hander. Bristow was 20-9 on the year with a strong 2.81 ERA. He led the Blue Jays to the TU East crown. Over his fine six-year career Bristow has chalked up a 110-69 mark and an equally-impressive 2.81 ERA. Bristow won the Golden Arm Award last year.

The Islandian Times

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Gravelli and Spears Named IPA MVPs

Ruthlandian Union

Belair Beach's super first sacker added another laurel to his already-wonderful resume. Phil Gravelli has been selected the Ruthlandian Union Most Valuable Player for 2007. He recently was honored with the league's Golden Bat Award, given to its top hitter. The 24-year-old Gravelli has made the All-Star team four times, but this was hit first MVP trophy. He had a colossal season with a .350 batting average, 28 doubles, 3 triples, 49 home runs, 146 RBIs and 108 runs scored. Gravelli tied for the most homers in the IPA, topped the RU in RBIs and finished third in the RU in batting average.

Rookie pitcher Emmett Yates of Grand City was Gravelli's biggest challenger. Yates won the RU Rookie of the Year Award with a magnificent season. He was 19-6 with a terrific 2.09 ERA. Yates was instrumental in the Cybercats great season. They climbed from eight place to second place in the RU South this season.

Third in the voting was Ranford's first baseman Bill Massengale, who came in second in the RU with a .352 batting average. Massengale also hit 30 roundtrippers, drove in 104 runs and scored 105 times.

Tycobbian Union

It was a very special year for Johnny Spears of the Mahaska Haymakers. The IPA has chosen him the 2007 Tycobbian Union Most Valuable Player. Spears racked up a fantastic 22-4 mark with a great 1.74 ERA to capture the honor. Spears' fine season help to elevate the Haymakers to a second-place finish, their best in history. They wound up sixth in 2006.

Blue Lake's slugging left fielder Tad Kirklin garnered enough votes to take second place. Kirklin paced the entire IPA with 49 home runs and 149 RBIs, while batting .334.

Third in the MVP poll was Ozarka's talented third baseman Nathan Ferrell, who batted .322, hit 34 out of the park, scored an IRA-leading 126 runs and drove in 111 runs.

The Islandian Times

Monday, October 15, 2007

IPA Managers of the Year Announced

Ruthlandian Union

The 2007 Manager of the Year in the Ruthlandian Union belongs to Manny Mickens. He piloted the Ancona Red Elephants to a superb season as they took the North title for the first time in the club's history. Ancona rose up from sixth place to first place this year and led the RU with a 94-60 mark.

Willie Dickens of the Stoner Stars was the number two vote-getter. The Stars were deep in the division basement in 2006, but did an abrupt turnaround this season and won the RU West pennant. Stoner was 86-68 for the year.

Number three in the BNN Manager of the Year balloting was Torry Joseph of the Grand City Cybercats. The Cybercats fought their way from last place to second place in the RU South. Prior to this year Grand City had wallowed in the division second division for four straight seasons. The Cybercats were 85-69 in 2007.

Tycobbian Union

The Rolling Hills Reds have not done well the past two seasons, but this year they rebounded with Matty Christianson at the helm. For his efforts Christianson has been honored as the Tycobbian Union Manager of the Year. The Reds improved from the seventh spot in the TU West up to third place. Rolling Hills registered an 84-70 mark for 2007.

Harry Buckley received the second highest number of support. Fairfax was a vastly inproved ball club this season with an 83-71 record, good for third place in the RU North. Buckley brought them from seventh to third in 2007.

Mahaska's Rusty Lanussa finished third in the voting for Manager of the Year. The Haymakers leaped from sixth place to the top spot in the TU North with an 88-66 mark. It was Mahaska's finest season. For the last four years they had languished in depths of the second division.

Last year Stacy Engel of the Claxton Diamonds won the Ruthlandian Union Manager of the Year Award, while Gary Louis of the Arlon Champions garnered the Tycobbian honor. The award was not given the first two years of the IPA.

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

2007 Ruthlandian Union Final Batting Statistics

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

2007 Ruthlandian Union Final Pitching Statistics

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

2007 Tycobbian Union Final Batting Statistics

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

2007 Tycobbian Union Final Pitching Statistics

Get ready for year number 8 in the Islandian Pro Alliance

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 23, 2008

2008 IPA Ruthlandian Union North Division Mid-Season Standings

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 23, 2008

LaGrange Surprise Team in RU North

The surprise team of the Ruthlandian Union North is the LaGrange Sports. Foxy Jimison's club is hitting at a record .296 clip at mid-season and has a 4-game edge over the Ranford Bulls. LaGrange finished seventh last season and came out of nowhere this year. Third place belongs to the Taranto Tars, who trail by 6 games. Rounding out the first division are the Glasco Athtletics, 7 games off the pace. In fifth place are the Far Mounain Redhawks, 9 games out, followed by the sixth place Kilkenny Cats, 12 games behind. Last year's champs, the Ancona Red Elephants, were decimated by free agents and has sunk down to the seventh spot, 13 back. Valmara has also fallen on hard times and has dropped to the cellar and 17 games to the rear.

Best Team BA – LaGrange Sports .296 (1st)
Most Runs – Taranto Tars 428 (1st)
Most HR – Taranto Tars 107 (1st)
Best Team ERA – Ranford Bulls 3.67 (7th)
Best Team Defense – LaGrange Sports .975 (9th - tied)

Worst Team BA: Valmara Vipers .256 (30th)
Fewest Runs: Ancona Red Elephants 332 (26th)
Fewest HR: Far Mountain 49 (26th)
Worst Team ERA: Ancona Red Elephants 4.58 (30th)
Worst Team Defense: Ranford Bulls .966 (32nd - tied)

LaGrange Sports
Foxy Jimison, Manager
This season: 1st place (45-28)
Last season: 7th place (71-83)

Acquistions were the key to LaGrange's success this year... All-Star LF Quincy Peterson (.317/22 HR/61 RBI) has really added offense and defense... coupled with two more All-Stars in SS Bill Nilsen (.306/12 HR/41 RBI) and CF Karl Perret (.338/10 HR/39 RBI/59 R) and that gives Jimison a solid core of regulars... two quality starters were also added to the staff: Jared Robillard (7-7 4.11) from Valka and Dave Webb (10-7 3.21) from Ancona... The Sports have solid hitters throughout the line-up and they are hitting .296 as a team, highest in IPA history... Pitching is not their strong point with a 4.28 ERA (24th), but LaGrange plays pretty good defense (.975 FA).

Ranford Bulls
Page Satcher, Manager
This season: 2nd Place (41-32)
Last season: 2nd Place (87-67)

As usual Page Satcher has the Ranford Bulls near the top of the RU North, just 4 games out... they had a bad April (10-13), but have since played better than .600 ball... Sacher's staff has the best ERA (3.67) in the division and the second-best BA (.280)... Johnny Joseph (6-2 3.19) and Stanley Ross (8-7 2.85) are his best arms... reliever Sammy Shaw (6-0 1.91) has been brilliant... top bats are LF Jose Castillo (.325/10 HR/45 RBI/43 R) and C Walt Horvath (.335/8 HR/29 RBI/44 R)... 1B Billy Massengale (.276/8 HR/46 RBI) is down from last year.

Taranto Tars
Tomasso Lazzorda, Manager
This season: 3rd Place (39-34)
Last season: 3rd Place (83-71)

Taranto also had a lousy April with an 8-15 mark, but have regrouped and played at a .620 pace in May and June... Hitting is the name of the game in Taranto as the Tars sport a .288 BA (2nd) with 107 homers (1st)... pitching-wise they are only average with a 4.03 ERA (15th)... Lazzorda has two All-Star hitters in 2B Ed Miles (.304/16 HR/55 RBI/53 R) and 1B Pietro Skrmetta (.356/6 HR/39 RBI/55 R)... plus SS Jake Travanti (.324/15 HR/49 RBI), 3B Sal Bruno (.293/7 HR/54 RBI/45 R) and C Norm Polochak (.294/12 HR/38 RBI)... on the mound Taranto's best are Sal Pascioni (10-6 3.77), Chris Hall (5-6 3.11), Carlo Bianchi (7-8 3.15)... reliever Ralph Mauriello (2-0 2.96) has done well, too.

Glasco Athletics
McDuffie Hughes, Manager
This season: 4th Place (38-35)
Last season: 5th Place (77-77)

Glasco has improved its hitting this year with a .277 BA (8th) and 81 homers (6th)... less than average pitching with a 4.15 ERA (19th) and good fielding (.976 FA)... Hughes has only two real arms in starter Felipe Branco (6-5 3.27) and reliever Riley McKeever (4-1 3.12)... at the plate the A's best are CF Aidan Latimer (.319/13 HR/38 RBI/47 R), 3B George Ferguson (.292/14 HR/50 RBI/45 R) and LF Bailey Norcross (.277/7 HR/24 RBI/53 R/22 SB).

Far Mountain Redhawks
Alex Groveland, Manager
This season: 5th place (36-37)
Last season: 5th place (77-77)

Manager Alex Groveland's Far Mountain Redhawks have batted quite well this year with a .275 BA (10th), but not with much power... the Redhawks have gone deep only 49 times (26th – tied)... But they have good pitching with a 3.75 ERA (9th)... All-Star 2B Duane Parsons (.316/6 HR/63 RBI/) has had a fine season along with SS Don Nilsen (.309/9 HR/42 RBI/46) and LF Benny Colter (.316/7 HR/48 RBI)... on the hill Groveland's top pitchers are Robby Kelly (8-5 2.67), Steffi Crowder (6-7 3.96) and Leroy Hill (7-8 3.96).

Kilkenny Cats
Kieran McKenna, Manager
This season: 6th Place (33-40)
Last season: 8th Place (68-86)

The Kilkenny Cats have improved quite a bit in talent... Skipper Kieran McKenna picked up a quality CF in Lacey Tompkins (.278/10 HR/45 RBI/41 R) and an All-Star SS in Scooter Perez (.310/2 HR/30 RBI/55 R)... RF Marv Nolan (.319/9 HR/32 RBI/41 R) has come of age this year, too... Gregg Neal (10-6 3.46) heads up the pitching corps... Steve Ohlinger (6-8 3.01) gives Kilkenny another quality starter... The Cats just don't hit well... they are hitting .264 (23rd) with only 58 homers (20th)... the team ERA stands at 3.98 (13th).

Ancona Red Elephants
Manny Mickens, Manager
This season: 7th Place (32-41)
Last season: 1st Place (94-70)

It was a glorious year for Manny Mickens last season... Ancona won more game than anyone in the Ruthlandian Union and Mickens was named the TU Manager of the Year... but this season Ancona lost several important players through free agency... 17-game winner Dave Webb signed with LaGrange... All-Star C Rance Murillo signed with Tuckanarra... and 20-game winner Vern Vidmar (1-3 4.10) has been sidelined for most of the season with a back injury... Mickens has seen his team's ERA shoot up from a fine 3.47 to a dismal 4.58 (30th)... the Red Elephants carry a .271 BA (16th) with 75 homers (10th) and are led by LF Lou DiMucci (.318/13 HR/54 RBI/42 R) and CF Tavi Vakros (.325/13 HR/35 RBI/60 R/15 SB).

Valmara Vipers
J. Jackson Samuel, Manager
This season: 8th Place (28-45)
Last season: 4th Place (78-76)

The proud Valmara Vipers have never finished under .500 in its seven-year existence in the IPA, but it looks like that fine record will come to end this season... Valmara lost two standouts to free agency... its all-time home run leader and Gold Glover 1B Masaichi Okawa and infielder Floyd Vinson, a career .305 batter... free agency has cost them quite a few talented players in the last few years and sent them on a downward spiral... The Vipers hit poorly with a .256 BA (30th), field poorly with a .968 FA and are only average in power with 70 home runs (13th) and in pitching with a 4.14 ERA... Vanya Vasylenko (7-6 4.25) and Greg Turchin (6-6 4.09) are Valmara's best pitchers, while All-Star LF Lou Gdowski (.348/14 HR/57 RBI/50 R) is having a very good season... 3B Joe Courtney (.313/6 HR/35 RI/36 R) has also provided some offense, but not like his glory days in Oxford.

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 23, 2008

2008 IPA Ruthlandian Union South Division Mid-Season Standings

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 23, 2008

Waleska Hurls Its Way to Top of the Heap in RU South

In one of the closest divisional races in the IPA, the Waleska Westerners have used solid pitching to take the lead at the halfway point the the season. At the All-Star break Waleska has a slight 2-game edge over Claxton and St. John. Only 8 games separate first place from the cellar. The San Dimas Rancheros are 3 games back in the fourth spot with Crystal Lake right on their tail just four games out. In a sixth-place tie are the Belair Beach Sunbirds and Valka Blackhawks, who trail by 7 games, followed by last place Grand City, just 8 games off the pace.

It is quite a horse race in the RU South. Most teams can contend for the pennant if a couple of players get hot and turn their seasons around.

Best Team BA: San Dimas Rancheros .282 (4th)
Most Runs: Claxton Diamonds 405 (2nd)
Most HR: Claxton Diamonds 91 (2nd – tied)
Best Team ERA: Waleska Westerners 3.48 (3rd)
Best Team Defense: St. John Crusaders .977 FA (2nd)

Worst Team BA: Grand City Cybercats .255 (31st)
Fewest Runs: Grand City Cybercats 314 (30th)
Fewest HR: Grand City Cybercats 42 (31st)
Worst Team ERA: Belair Beach Sunbirds 5.01 (32nd)
Worst Team Defense: Crystal Lake Crushers .966 (31st – tied)

Waleska Westerners
McGraw Johnson, Manager
This season: 1st Place (39-34)
Last season: 5th Place (78-76)

Solid pitching and defense have moved Waleska to the top of the RU South at the mid-season break... McGraw Johnson has a good core of consistent hitters, too... The team ERA is 3.48 (3rd)... top pitchers are Marv McCormick (6-5 3.25), Wilson Whitmore (7-7 2.94), Jasper Rhodes (7-4 3.78) and Von Pearce (8-6 4.04)... Ernie Harrell (2-0 2.09) has also been effective in relief... top hitters are CF Harold Setser (.292/8 HR/52 RBI), RF Johnny Stratton (.315/8 HR/43 RBI/45 R), 3B Grant Betzer (.298/4 HR/40 RBI) and 2B DePaul Lebat (.316/4 HR/21 RBI/56 R/27 SB)... the Westerners need more firepower... only have 47 homers (28th).

Claxton Diamonds
Stacy Engel, Manager
This season: 2nd Place Tie (37-36)
Last season: 3rd Place (83-71)

A good offense and some good starters are taking care of Claxton this year... The Diamonds outscore and overpower their opponents with a .273 BA (12th), 405 runs (2nd) and 91 roundtrippers (2nd)... All-Star 1B Mike Luzzatti (.333/23 HR/55 RBI/60 R) is enjoying a great year and leads the IPA in home runs and is second in the RU in runs... 8-year standout CF Dixie Baker (.263/17 HR/49 RBI/43 R) also consistently contributes to the offense... Newly-acquired free agent Helmut Graczyk (.275/11 HR/43 RBI/44 R) and 3B Artie Sherman (.314/11 HR/38 RBI/43 R) have made their presence felt, too... Stacy Engel also has a steady pitching rotation in Carlo Funicello (8-2 3.30), Charlie Murphy (5-9 3.47) and Peter Brenneman (7-6 4.16)... long reliever Tom Dahl (2-2 2.97) has done his part, too... defense is below average with a .969 FA.

St. John Crusaders
Dickie Billings, Manager
This season: 2nd Place Tie (37-36)
Last season: 1st Place (89-65)

The defending RU South champs are still a good team and still quite capable of repeating, if it's hitting would improve... Dickie Billings still has a good starting nucleus in Ken Wheeler (10-5 3.53), Terry Garson (5-8 2.67) and Glynn Morgan (5-6 3.70)... reliever Fuzzy Olnick (2-1 2.76) has been effective, too... The Crusaders bats are hitting only .259 (27th) with 61 home runs (17th – tied)... RF Clayton Luck (.288/8 HR/34 RBI/43 R), 1B Abe Worthy (.294/7 HR/34 RBI/35 R) and CF Mel Ballard (.317/7 HR/31 RBI/24 R) are the best of the lot... St. John has a top-notch defensive club with a fine .977 FA (2nd)... last year's aces and 15-game winners Johnny Cole (6-7 4.49) and Sterling Eccles (4-3 4.15) have been way down this season and are no longer in the starting rotation... a return-to-form by Cole and Eccles and the Crusaders would be cinches to take the division pennant.

San Dimas Rancheros
Paco Banderos, Manager
This season: 4th Place (36-37)
Last season: 7th Place (72-82)

The Rancheros are a good contact-hitting club with an impressive .282 BA (4th), but come up short in long-distance hitting with only 61 homers (17th – tied) and scoring (27th)... Paco Banderos' pitching is not up-to-par with a 4.26 ERA (23rd)... starters Carl Schmitz (6-8 4.09) and Ray Watson (7-7 5.01) have been disappointing this year, but San Dimas does have a strong bullpen with an impressive 3.37 ERA (4th)... Relievers Tony Cuellar (5-1 3.68) and Josh Houston (6-3 3.53) have been effective... sub-par defensively with a .969 FA... Offensively All-Star 1B Ron Armstrong (.309/13 HR/49 RBI/50
R) still does a great job with the bat and glove at age 30... C Wesley Pate (.338/5 HR/26 RBI/28 R) has hit very well, too... Good second-halves by Schmitz and Watson could do wonders for the Rancheros.

Crystal Lake Crushers
Herman "Baby" George, Manager
This season: 5th Place (34-39)
Last season: 6th Place (72-82)

Three free agents have made a difference in Baby George's ball club... they are in fifth place, but only 4 games off the pace, the closest Crystal Lake has ever been to first place this late in the season... All-Star Phil Gravelli (.327/16 HR/56 RBI), RF Earl Giles (.302/10 HR/44 RBI) and C Todd Simons (.299/4 HR/24 RBI) are the top Crushers at the plate... George has an average mound staff with a 4.05 ERA overall (16th), but quite good in the bullpen with a 3.41 ERA (5th)... Phil Varnado (8-7 3.45) and Pablo Orantes (8-10 3.97) are two good starters... All-Star closer Jeff Jernigan (0-3 1.14) has 16 saves... Defense needs some work with a very poor .966 FA (31st – tied).

Belair Beach Sunbirds
Marty Pedroza, Manager
This year: 6th Place Tie (32-41)
Last Year: 4th Place (82-62)

Huge losses through free agency have taken its toll during the last three years on one of the IPA's stronger franchises... It's tough when you lose an eight-year veteran and perennial All-Star like Phil Gravelli with 271 career homers and a .328 batting average... It's been seven years since the Sunbirds were below .500 (2001)... Manager Marty Pedroza still has some good bats with a .281 team batting average (5th), but pitching has deteriorated drastically down to a 5.01 ERA (32nd)... 2003-2005 Belair Beach average ERA was a microscopic 3.06... defense has slumped, too, down to .969 FA... Pedroza's best starters are Jeff Nieman (10-7 4.51) and Slim Mosley (5-9 4.28)... 22-game winner Joe Schmidt has gone into the tank this season with a 3-9 mark with an atrocious 5.44 ERA... Tiny Lindgren (0-2 2.38) has been injured and has made only two starts this year... All-Star CF Billy Martz (.349/10 HR/42 RBI/54 R) and C Little Jake Bungarooba (.313/9 HR/45 RBI/47 R) are having the best years of their career... new 1B Bo Taylor (.283/9 HR/45 RBI) has done well replacing Gravelli, but is nowhere near the power hitter... new regulars RF John Jarrett (.292/6 HR/33 RBI/36 R), 3B Zippy Parks (.291/5 HR/33 RBI/40 R) and SS Ron Nossek (.284/10 HR/32 RBI/48 R) have hit well, but Parks and Nossek leave a lot when it comes to defense.

Valka Blackhawks
Jaan Kurus, Manager
This season: 6th Place Tie (32-41)
Last season: 8th Place (63-91)

In the last three years Valka has lost four fine pitchers: Bobby Karu, Darryl Vannoy, Tommy Ruffin and Jared Robillard... Together they have won 313 games in the IPA... No wonder the Blackhawks have tumbled to the bottom of the RU South... Jaan Kurus' crew has never hit the ball very well, but did have some fine pitchers... this year the team ERA is down to 4.51 (28th)... only starter Connie Krueger (7-8 3.32) has decent stats... relievers Juri Valk (3-0 2.68) and Carley Stockwell (2-0 3.40) have been effective... Valka doesn't hit very well with a .261 BA (25th) and only 49 homers (26th)... even worse in scoring runs (29th)... the best of the bats are CF Jimmy Tremayne (.327/5 HR/28 RBI/44 R) and 3B Kenny Hall (.300/1 HR/26 RBI/34 R).

Grand City Cybercats
Torry Joseph, Manager
This season: 8th Place (31-42)
Last season: 2nd Place (86-69)

What a difference a year makes... Torry Joseph was the RU Manager of the Year last season... don't think he will be in the running this year for the award... he's still the same manager, but his two pitching studs have not been as good as last year... the team ERA has risen from a sensational 3.07 (1st) to a poor 4.22 (21st)... Paul Felkner dropped from 22-12 with a 3.40 ERA down to 5-9 and 5.09 this year... Last year's RU Rookie of the Year Emmitt Yates was outstanding with a 19-6 mark and a 2.09 ERA, but this season has only been good with a 10-9 record and 3.35 ERA... The Cybercats still have trouble with the bats... As per usual Grand City is hitting at a .255 clip (31st) with only 42 homers (31st) and has a hard time scoring runs (30th)... Torry has no hitters at all... Sadly 1B Martin Kiefer (.293/3 HR/20 RBI/36 R) and C Cuz Irby (.275/3 HR/23 RBI/43 R) are his best batters.

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 23, 2008

2008 IPA Ruthlandian Union East Division Mid-Season Standings

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 23, 2008

Wynnamac Up by 5 Games in RU East, Cold Creek 2nd

Good blend of pitching and power has shot the Wynnamac Sundowners up into first place in the Ruthlandian Union East by 5 games over second place Cold Creek, 7 games over Belle Plaine and 8 games over Beechwood and Elnora, who are deadlocked for the fourth spot in the standings. The Eastshore Elegants and the Marston Nine are tied at number six and trail by 9 games, followed Sugar Valley in the basement, 11 games out.

Best Team BA: Marston Nine .287 (3rd)
Most Runs: Marston Nine 394 (6th)
Most HR: Beechwood Bobcats 90 (4th)
Best Team ERA: Cold Creek Catamounts 3.51 (4th)
Best Team Defense: Belle Plaine Musketeers and Sugar Valley Rattlers .975 (6th – tied)

Worst Team BA: Beechwood Bobcats and Elnora All-Stars .267 (19th)
Fewest Runs: Elnora All-Stars 343 (22nd)
Fewest HR: Belle Plaine Musketeers 47 (28th)
Worst Team ERA: Sugar Valley Rattlers 4.56 (29th)
Worst Team Defense: Marston Nine .967 FA (30th)

Waleska Westerners
Matt Donnelly, Manager
This season: 1st Place (44-29)
Last season: 6th Place (72-82)

Good pitching with 3.55 team ERA (5th)... headed by All-Star Lefty Paddison (11-3 2.57) and Skeets Hobart (10-4 3.89)... good hitting with a .273 batting average and decent power with 68 homers (14th)... can score with 384 runs scored (8th)... so-so defense with .970 FA... Manager Matt Donnelly has a solid line-up with LF Big Hoss Burkhalter (.324/13 HR/54 RBI/49 R), CF Dalton Leeds (.293/9 HR/49 RBI/43 R), 1B Nate Cockroft (.286/11 HR/45 RBI/40 R), free agent RF Mark Buchanan (.296/12 HR/34 RBI/55 R) and SS Warren Lee (.300/5 HR/34 RBI/36 R), all former All-Stars.

Cold Creek Catamounts
T. Kelly Holmes, Manager
This season: 2nd Place (39-34)
Last season: 1st Place (86-66)

Good pitching (3.51 ERA – 4th) and timely hitting (.271 – 17th)... fair defense with .969 FA... Holmes has solid starters in All-Star Payton Saunders (11-5 2.04), rookie Pat Dreux (6-2 2.44) and Tommy Weeks (7-8 3.19)... excellent hitters in All-Star Emile Stosha (.309/12 HR/65 RBI/51 R/22 SB) and All-Star CF Trip Holmes (.330/9 HR/40 RBI/49 R)... LF Fernando Baldera (.321/9 HR/38 RBI) has also supplied some offense.

Belle Plaine Musketeers
Boo Ladrieux, Manager
This season: 3rd Place (37-36)
Last season: 7th Place (69-85)

Good hitting with a .276 BA (9th), but little power... only 47 homers (28th)... average pitching with a 4.03 ERA (14th)... good defense with a .975 FA... best pitchers are Tony Pariseau (7-4 3.48) and Brad Anderson (9-8 4.20)... top batters are 1B Rory Dickenson (.324/4 HR/56 RBI/42 R), 3B Warren McDaniel (.281/13 HR/46 R), RF Jose Mendez (.392/1 HR/28 RBI/41 R), SS Floyd Vinson (.300/0 HR/24 RBI/49 R) and CF Cris Willis (.311/3 HR/18 RBI/41 R).

Beechwood Bobcats
Bret George, Manager
This season: 4th Place Tie (36-37)
Last season: 3rd Place (83-71)

power is team's strong point with 90 homers (4th)... adequate hitting with a .267 BA (19th)... weak pitching with a 4.25 ERA (22nd)... fair defensively with a .970 FA... best bats are All-Star 3B Guy Cassidy (.293/14 HR/38 RBI/52 R/29 SB), SS Jared McCarthy (.298/10 HR/46 RBI), RF Dale Strickland (.310/17 HR/41 RBI/40 R) and CF Clifton Czabo (.318/12 HR/39 RBI/51 R)... top pitchers are Bubba Lear (9-4 3.59), Dek Jumonville (7-10 3.27) and reliever Terry Kuznetsov (2-2 3.08).

Elnora All-Stars
Zoggy White, Manager
This season: 4th Place Tied (36-37)
Last season: 8th Place (65-89)

Only average in most areas of the game... .267 BA (20th)... 65 HR (15th)... Defense .975 FA... poor 4.50 team ERA (26th)... led at the plate by 2B Dmitri Vrotsos (.263/16 HR/50 RBI/48 R), RF Lloyd Voss (.319/5 HR/39 RBI/34 R), SS Allan Black (.259/10 HR/34 RBI/43 R) and LF Rick Mulloy (.285/5 HR/34 RBI/40 R)... best pitchers are Taylor Gibbs (5-11 3.94), Warren Paul (8-7 4.71) and Matty Wilkerson (7-7 4.53).

Eastshore Elegants
Killer Brewster, Manager
This season: 6th Place (35-38)
Last season: 5th Place (78-76)

Good power with 83 HR (5th)... average hitting with .272 BA (15th)... little below average pitching with a 4.15 ERA (18th)... average defensively with .973 FA... Quality pitchers: Ivar Jorgerson (10-5 3.31) and Thomas Williams (7-7 3.58)... top bats: All-Star RF Stan Cuccinello (.293/12 HR/45 RBI/39 R), LF Darrel Alston (.300/12 HR/38 RBI/39 R), 2B Tucker Hill (.326/4 HR/32 RBI/49 R) and C Fran MacIntyre (.279/8 HR/32 RBI/38 R).

Marston Nine
Johnny Walters, Manager
This season: 7th Place (35-38)
Last season: 4th Place (81-73)

Potent with the bats, but pitiful with the pitching and bad on defense... team BA .287 (3rd)... 394 runs (6th)... team ERA 4.35 (25th)... team FA .967... All-Star 3B Jimmy Holman (.344/21 HR/78 RBI/63 R) tops IPA with 78 RBIs and 63 runs... other top hitters are 1B Pat Farris (.332/3 HR/29 RBI/46 R), SS Charley Walton (.333/0 HR/28 RBI/36 R), LF Ronnie Horn (.312/8 HR/38 RBI/36 R), 2B Francisco Abreu (.282/10 HR/37 RBI/31 R) and CF Lou Fisher (.291/5 HR/30 RBI/56 R/15 SB)... best pitchers are Mark Falzone (10-4 3.93) and Rhett Townsend (6-5 3.83).

Sugar Valley Rattlers
Gibson Bobkins, Manager
This season: 8th Place (33-40)
Last season: 2nd Place (84-70)

Lousy pitching (4.56 ERA – 29th)... average hitting (.271 – 18th)... good power with 73 homers (11th)... and solid defense with a .975 FA... Ted Farentino (10-5 4.48) and Joel Lockett (5-5 3.38) are best pitchers... All-Star C Hal Stevenson (.302/16 HR/59 RBI/34 R) is the top batter, along with CF Austen Conover (.292/3 HR/30 RBI/58 R/34 SB) and LF Dennis Kernell (.317/11 HR/33 RBI/32 R).

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 23, 2008

2008 IPA Ruthlandian Union West Division Mid-Season Standings

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 23, 2008

Colfax Leader in RU West, Forest City Trails by 3 Games

Best Team BA: Middlefield Roosters .278
Most Runs: Middlefield Roosters 394
Most HR: Forest City Lumberjacks 91
Best Team ERA: Colfax Blasters 3.22
Best Team Defense: Stoner Stars .979 FA

Worst Team BA: Fort Benton Defenders .235
Fewest Runs: Fort Benton Defenders 271
Fewest HR: Fort Benton Defenders 40
Worst Team ERA: Fort Benton Defenders 4.51
Worst Team Defense: Colfax Blasters .970 FA

Colfax Blasters
Clem Rogers, Manager
This Season: 1st Place (46-27)
Last Season: 2nd Place (85-69)

Colfax is riding high this season on the arms of a fine pitching staff with a 3-game edge over Forest City and 6 over Rocky Rapids... the Blasters have compiled an excellent 3.22 team ERA (1st) led by two All-Stars: Jasper LaForge (13-2 2.81) and Ilya Szabo (11-4 2.27) and closer Dallas Somerville (2-2 2.89), who tops the IPA with 19 saves... Offensively Colfax has a little power with 76 roundtrippers (9th) and a few good hitters for average in C Tino Leonetti (.327/3 HR/31 RBI), 2B Niles Stanton (.327/11 HR/29 RBI), RF Keith Heidelberg (.322/7 HR/24 RBI/35 RBI) and SS Paul Amundsen (.301/4 HR/28 RBI/35 R), but have difficulty scoring (336 runs – 24th).

Forest City Lumberjacks
Rob Jackson, Manager
This season: 2nd Place (43-30)
Last season: 2nd Place (80-74)

Forest City's Rob Jackson is blessed with two All-Star hurlers and good power (91 HR – 2nd tied)... Knucks Nomellini (13-3 2.64) and Al Thibaut (11-5 3.10) head up a fine group of starters and CF Nickie Troxell (.308/21 HR/54 RBI/40 R), LF Joe Judlin (.332/12 HR/55 RBI/51 R), RF Stan Maples (.277/16 HR/34 RBI/53 R) and 1B Andy Doiron (.332/6 HR/31 RBI) provide the power.

Rocky Rapids Snappers
Ryan Noland, Manager
This season: 3rd Place (40-33)
Last season: 3rd Place (80-74)

The Snappers hit for average (.272 BA – 14th), have no power (51 HR – 25th), but do have pretty fair pitching (3.81 ERA – 10th)... All-Star free agent Hank Bethel (.333/14 HR/52 RBI/46 R) shows he can hit in both the RU and TU... LF Scott Camden (.305/11 HR/52 RBI/48) still is a good run producer after seven seasons... these two supply most of the offense for Ryan Noland's ball club... All-Star Charley Boyer (11-5 2.60) is having a good year on the mound... Ernie Watkins (6-4 3.56) is good, but not the dominant pitcher he was two years ago when he set an IPA mark with 28 wins... The Snappers are an average team defensively (.974 FA).

Volusia Vigilantes
Alfonso Feliz, Manager
This season: 4th Place (38-35)
Last season: 4th Place (74-80)

The V's had their playoff streak snapped last year when they failed to make the postseason for the first time in its seven-year history... Skipper Alfonso Feliz still relies on pitching as Volusia has one of the bigger ballparks in the IPA... Volusia is 8 games off the pace this year... the team has a 3.43 ERA (2nd) and has a better than average defense with a .974 FA, but has trouble hitting homers and scoring runs... the Vigilantes have gone deep only 55 times (22nd) and scored 337 times (23rd), but hit well for average with a .274 BA (11th)... All-Star hurler Hernando Espaderos (10-2 2.13) has been terrific... closer Hank Massey (0-2 2.16) has had a strong year with 16 saves... and Thomas Williams (7-8 3.21) had pitched well, but needs better run support... Feliz's best bats are RF Briscoe Crowder (.310/7 HR/39 RBI/37 R), LF Reynaldo Quezada (.276/11 HR/35 RBI/35 R) and CF Domingo DeLeon (.294/7 HR/27 RBI/40 R/30 SB).

Middlefield Roosters
Smitty Michaels, Manager
This season: 5th Place (37-36)
Last season: 5th Place (69-85)

Smitty Michaels has seen his team stumble the last two seasons after a five-year stretch at the top of the RU West that included two division crowns and one Pro Cup championship... So far this year Middlefield is fifth in the RU West and trail by 9 games... Gone via free agency are stars Charlie Gamble, Bailey Norcross and Ty DeWitt... The Roosters still hit well with a .278 BA (7th), have decent power with 78 homers (8th) and score well with 394 runs (6th), but not in the abundance of the glory years... Pitching has never been Middlefield strength since they play in such a small ballpark, in the last two years it's been downright terrible... this year the team ERA is a sky-high 4.61 (31st)... In the field they do well with a .976 FA... Now in his seventh season pitching veteran Jamie Hicks (6-8 3.88) is still around from all the good years, but has little help... All-Star C Mike Kanjorsky (.384/12 HR/40RBI/47 R) is having a career year, but doesn't have a lot of help... 1B J. D. Earnshaw (.267/11 HR/50 RBI/42 R) and 2B Sammy Ragsdale (.261/11 HR/41 RBI/46 R) are the best of the rest.

Sligo Rovers
Eddie Keys, Manager
This season: 6th Place Tied (35-38)
Last season: 7th Place (64-90)

Sligo has never made the playoffs and it is not likely they will do it this year as the Rovers are tied for sixth and 11 games back... Keys doesn't have much hitting (.262 BA – 26th), power (54 HR – 24th), pitching (3.96 ERA – 12th) or defense (.971 FA)... top hurlers are Stony Blackwell (6-5 2.65) and Colin McGrath (4-5 2.40)... best bats are RF Fred Collins (.283/11 HR/41 RBI/37 R), CF James Yardley (.290/11 HR/36 RBI) and 1B Nat Mayakovsky (.298/8 HR/37 RBI).

Stoner Stars
Willie Dickens, Manager
This Season: 6th Place Tied (35-38)
Last Season: 1st Place (87-67)

The Stoner Stars have been ravaged by free agency and fallen from first place to a sixth-place tie and 11 games back... Willie Dickens lost his three top pitchers in Georgie West (19-9), Ted Chambers (19-12) and Aydan Havilland (16-13) and three position regulars... in addition his MVP SS Karol Zodoka (.355/3 HR/22 RBI/16 R) has missed more than half the season with an injury... it's back to square one for Stoner... Mark Mumford (6-2 3.04), Norman Canfield (5-7 3.16) and Dave Pierre (5-6 3.46) are all that is left of the pitching rotation and 2B-SS Johnny Nowitzki (.327/0 HR/27 RBI/39 R) is the Stars only decent hitter... Stoner still plays very good defense with a .978 FA.

Fort Benton Defenders
Robbie Brooks, Manager
This season: 8th Place (28-45)
Last season: 8th Place (62-92)

Fort Benton is one of the worst, if not the worst franchises in the IPA... the Defenders have never been in the first division, never made the playoffs and have finished last five times... this year is no different... Fort Benton is in the basement and already 18 games off the pace... hitting a pathetic .235 BA (32nd), only 40 home runs (32nd), scored only 271 runs (32nd) with a poor 4.51 ERA (27th)... fielding in not that good, either (.971 FA)... Manager Robbie Brooks has one decent pitcher in Tom Waltenberry (6-6 3.57) and one decent hitter in 2B Artie Vicknair (.317/9 HR/37 RBI).

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 23, 2008

2008 IPA Tycobbian Union North Division Mid-Season Standings

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 23, 2008

Rolling On the River, White River Revival, Rascals Rise Up

Best Team BA: Hartsdale Hellcats .284
Most Runs: Hartsdale Hellcats 380
Most HR: Hartsdale Hellcats 87
Best Team ERA: Fairfax Frogs 3.30
Best Team Defense: Fairfax Frogs .978 FA

Worst Team BA: Mahaska Haymakers .241
Fewest Runs: Mahaska Haymakers 287
Fewest HR: North Hills Hawks 40
Worst Team ERA: North Hills Hawks 4.33
Worst Team Defense: White River Rascals .966 FA

White River Rascals
John Randison, Manager
This season: 1st Place (41-32)
Last season: 8th Place (63-91)

Out of nowhere the White River Rascals have surged from last place in the Tycobbian Union to the top spot with a 3-game lead over the Fairfax Frogs and 5 games over the Hartsdale Hellcats, Luxora Zorros and Mahaska Haymakers... Manager John Randison has forged a solid pitching corps with good power to turn the Rascals around... The Rascals team ERA is 3.48 (5th) with a .270 BA (18th) and 83 HR (3rd)... top pitchers are Mark Morse (8-1 2.06), Mick Cronyn (8-8 3.10) and free agent Danny Blauser (7-6 3.70)... at the plate free agent All-Star LF Bernie Valente (.320/22 HR/55 RBI/58 R) has blistered the opposition with some help from CF Ronnie Lee (.309/6 HR/25 RBI/55 R) and 3B Riley Cloy (.298/11 HR/40 RBI/45 R)... Rascals are not so good with the glove with a very poor .966 FA.

Fairfax Frogs
Harry Buckley, Manager
This season: 1st Place
Last season: 3rd (83-71)

Harry Buckley has brought Fairfax back as a contender in the TU North the last two seasons with a good mound staff... the Frogs have a combined 3.30 ERA (2nd) paced by Roman Reynosa (10-3 2.90), Kaz Hayagawa (6-3 2.88) and Scotty Marshall (5-6 2.83)... Fairfax shines on defense with a .978 FA... Give Buckley are few good bats and he could runaway with the pennant... However, reality is Fairfax has a .266 BA (16th) with only 56 homers (22nd tied), but are productive with their hits, scoring 345 runs (14th)... top hitters are All-Star RF Dane Wesner (.365/13 HR/38 RBI/38 R), CF Tony Kraus (.267/6 HR/38 RBI/40 R) and free agent 1B Chancey Quibedeaux (.266/5 HR/27 RBI/44 R)... Quibedeaux, a three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glover has started slow in his new environment... his numbers are way down this year.

Hartsdale Hellcats
Zim Donner, Manager
This season: 3rd Place Tie (36-37)
Last season: 4th Place (83-71)

For the past six years the Hartsdale Hellcats have been among the top teams in the TU North... Skipper Zim Donner has a strong attack with some standout performers in his line-up that has put up an impressive .284 BA (1st) with 87 homers (2nd) and 380 runs scored (4th)... leading the way are All-Star 3B Kendry Moulton (.311/16 HR/51 RBI/37 R), All-Star 1B Tom Brabant (.324/14 HR/44 RBI/37 R), RF Mac Faulkner (.310/8 HR/39 RBI/46 R), LF Rob Welch (.280/15 HR/40 RBI), CF Wayne Crow (.292/6 HR/31 RBI/45 R) and 2B Jud Turchin (.306/13 HR/37 RBI/41 R)... the Hellcats have some talented twirlers, too... Mark Sakelaris (9-5 3.47) and Mitch Yassen (9-4 3.51)... if the other two in the rotation, Ben Manderson (4-9 3.79) and Dennis Kretzmeier (6-5 3.70), can get hot in the second half, look out other teams, the Hellcats could put in a serious challenge for the pennant... only weakness Hartsdale has is on defense with a poor .968 FA.

Luxora Zorros
Alejandro Rodrigo, Manager
This season: 3rd Place Tie (36-37)
Last season: 5th Place (80-74)

Luxora is pretty much average in everything but fielding... The Z's are hitting .263 (20th) with 63 roundtrippers (18th) and 335 runs scored (18th)... team ERA is 4.02 (22nd)... but on defense the Zorros stand out with a .976 FA... Skipper Alejandro Rodrigo has three All-Stars to spark his club... CF Bob Havilland (.275/19 HR/56 RBI/42 R), RF Joel Reed (.341/10 HR/52 RBI/41 R) and closer Ricardo Topez (2-1 2.33), who has notched 15 saves, all made the All-Star team... 3B Pablo Santa Cruz (.287/5 HR/32 RBI/54 R) has been a solid stick for Luxora and Antonio Anaya (9-5 4.19), Elio Laurente (6-8 3.63) and Jay Cavacos (3-4 2.86) have also pitched well.

Mahaska Haymakers
Rusty Tanussa, Manager
This season: 3rd Place Tie (36-37)
Last season: 2nd Place (88-66)

Rusty Tanussa longs for the day when he can get some legitimate hitters in Mahaska... this year is his worst-hitting team by far... The Haymakers are batting only .241 (32nd), the second lowest in the IPA... only Fort Benton at .235 is worse... but Tanussa has some fine pitchers in new free agent Bomber Belinsky (6-3 3.14) and Johnny Spears (7-9 2.69)... Johnny Picou (6-4 3.30) has been consistently good, too... but it is his reliever corps that makes people look up and take notice... Mahaska's bullpen has a remarkable 1.81 ERA (1st) this year... Batting-wise Tanussa only has one hitter of any note: 2B Domingo Rios (.259/12 HR/37 RBI/37 R)... defensively the Haymakers are only average with a .971FA.

Oxford Red Caps
Campy Roy, Manager
This season: 6th Place (32-41)
Last season: 1st Place (91-63)

The Oxford Red Caps have a winning tradition with four divisional titles, five playoffs and one Pro Cup title... but this year it hasn't been that way... despite being the defending IPA champions the Red Caps are 9 games behind leading White River and in an uncustomary sixth place in the standings... Oxford lost Dan Phillips (24-10) and Bomber Belinsky (15-13) from last year's title team through free agency... Team ERA has ballooned almost a run a game to 4.28 (27th), but hitting has held it own with a .272 BA (4th), 356 runs (10th) and 57 HR (21st)... All-Star CF Wayne McDonald (.346/14 HR/51 RBI/51 R) is having a fine season... LF Mac Spencer (.285/9 HR/40 RBI/37 R) has also been productive... on the mound Del Anderson (9-7 3.26) and Nicky Nicholson (8-8 4.01) have been Oxford's best pitchers... The Red Caps still sport a strong defense with a strong .977 FA.

Blue Lake Blue Sox
Cobb Tyson, Manager
This season: 7th Place (31-42)
Last season: 6th Place (73-81)

Manager Cobb Tyson's Blue Lake Blue Sox have not made the playoffs since 2001 and will not likely make them this year either... The Blue Sox are currently resting in seventh place in the TU North and trail by 10 games... Pretty much the same roster as last year, but hitting has suffered... Blue Lake is batting only .247 (30th), scored just 301 times (30th) and gone deep 65 times (15th) with a 3.76 ERA (14th) and an average defensive team with a .974 FA... All-Star Pat Henry (9-5 2.22) leads the hill corps along with Pat Grange (7-9 3.57)... at the plate RF Tad Kirklin (.272/15 HR/45 R) is way off his great numbers of last year's Golden Bat season... CF Rick Hilliard (.265/10 HR/35 RBI) and 2B Loren Babcock (.295/9 HR/33 RBI/45 R) are quality players.

North Hills Hawks
Hub Carlson, Manager
This season: 8th Place (27-46)
Last season: 7th Place (69-85)

The Hawks have never come close to the playoffs... season-to-season Hub Carlson's crew ranges from mediocre to bad... this year they are bad... .262 BA (21st)... 320 runs (23rd)... 40 HR (32nd)... 4.33 ERA (28th) and a .970 FA... No top performers... best pitchers are Ben Dewberry (7-9 3.85) and Johnny Bond (7-11 3.93)... top bats are RF Chris Pruitt (.264/8 HR/39 RBI/45 R) and 1B Cameron Kamara (.276/6 HR/32 RBI/36 R).

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 23, 2008

2008 IPA Tycobbian Union North Division Mid-Season Standings

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 23, 2008

Typhoons Blow Away Opposition, Tops TU South by 9

Best Team BA: Turon Typhoons .277
Most Runs: Turon Typhoons 400
Most HR: Cape Coral Hurricanes 82
Best Team ERA: Turon Typhoons 3.62
Best Team Defense: Ginza Ninjas .981 FA

Worst Team BA: Blue Lake Blue Sox .247
Fewest Runs: Summerland Sunsets 309
Fewest HR: Arroyo Grande Suns 48
Worst Team ERA: Arroyo Grande Suns 4.50
Worst Team Defense: Cape Coral Hurricanes .966 FA

Turon Typhoons
Ashton "Whitey" Richburn
This season: 1st Place (46-27)
Last season: 2nd Place (80-74)

The only team to have two Pro Cups is the Turon Typhoons and judging by the way they are dominating the Tycobbian South this season, Whitey Richburn could be seeking number three in mid-September... Turon is a good all-around team with solid pitching, excellent hitting and good defense... The Typhoons are batting .277 (2nd), have scored 400 runs (1st), hit 67 home runs (13th) with a good 3.62 ERA (9th) and above-average defense with a .975 FA... CF Mac McCurnan (.316/10 HR/49 RBI/58 R) and C Fats Dalton (.298/8 HR/39 RBI/37 R) both are All-Stars... RF Andy Porter (.360/8 HR/43 RBI/37 R) and 2B Andy Hansen (.285/1 HR/20 RBI/55 R) are worthy contributors as well... on the mound Anthony Nardone (10-6 2.56) and Scotty Boswell (12-2 4.02) are seasoned winners.

Colchester Elites
Robbie Wilbertson, Manager
This season: 2nd Place Tie (37-36)
Last season: 1st Place (95-59)

The defending TU South champs, the Colchester Elites, piloted by Uncle Robbie Wilbertson, have done well in their history with only one sub-par season... this year they are in second place, but 9 games back... Colchester is an average ball club this season with a .269 BA (12th), 333 runs scored (19th), 70 homers (10th), 3.87 ERA (19th) and a not-so-good .970 FA... top performers are pitchers Jimmy Simmons (6-7 2.14), Frank Payne (9-7 3.88), Keith Cline (8-5 4.13) and two All-Stars 1B Harlan Roscoe (.348/13 HR/42 RBI/36 R) and C Benny Walker (.288/14 HR/43 RBI/35 R)... Another good run producer is CF Douglas Tilford (.268/9 HR/28 RBI/45 R).

Ginza Ninjas
Huroko Uchiyama, Manager
This season: 2nd Place Tie (37-36)
Last season: 5th Place (63-91)

Ginza's strengths are pitching and defense... 3.73 ERA (13th) with an outstanding .981 FA... the Ninjas are not much with the bats: .255 BA (27th), 316 runs (24th) and 50 HR/(26th)... Top arms are Carl Trebek (10-7 3.48), Toshio Nozaki (4-4 2.46) and All-Star closer Ernie Teague (2-2 3.38), who has 16 saves... Skipper Huroko Uchiyama platoons a lot of players... only one starts most games... 1B Toshiro Nomura (.289/10 HR/29 RBI/37 R).

Summerland Sunsets
Will Hackett, Manager
This season: 2nd Place Tie (37-36)
Last season: 7th Place (61-93)

Summerland is a perennial also-ran in the TU South with only one playoff appearance, when the Sunsets finished second in 2005... Like Colchester and Ginza, pitching is its strong point with a 3.68 ERA (10th)... otherwise the Sunsets rank poorly in all categories: .256 BA (26th), 309 runs (26th), 50 homers (26th – tied) and a very poor .967 FA... Denny Coulon (9-8 3.50), long-time ace of the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers, switched allegiances this year and quickly became Summerland's top hurler... Toshiya Tamura (8-7 3.41) has also pitched well... in the bullpen Scott Oeltjen (3-0 1.01) has done unbelievably well... Manager Will Hackett's best hackers have been LF Ed Holt (.330/7 HR/38 RBI/35 R) and SS Don Hanks (.303/6 HR/28 RBI/34 R).

Cape Coral Hurricanes
Huggy Miller, Manager
This season: 5th Place (35-38)
Last season: 4th Place (68-86)

Cape Coral has been successful under the leadership of Huggy Miller with two division titles in 2004 and 2005 and has made four playoff appearances... This year the Hurricanes are in fifth place and it may be too late to overcome Turon's huge 11-game lead in the second half of the season... Miller uses home run power as his main weapon along with some outstanding talent... Cape Coral's mound staff is led by one of the greatest IPA pitchers, Cody Burg (10-6 3.38), a five-time All-Star with three 20-game seasons and two Golden Arm Awards... Miller has two other solid pitchers in the rotation: Tommy Archer (6-7 3.48) and Steve Aaron (5-4 3.67)... the Hurricanes possess three fine position players in All-Star LF Kippy Doyle (.338/15 HR/56 RBI/41 R), free agent All-Star 3B Flipper Bird (.297/9 HR/25 RBI/60 R) and free agent RF Maurice Vidrine (.324/12 HR/48 RBI/37 R).

Southport Sun Sox
Charley Oscar, Manager
This season: 6th Place (34-39)
Last season: 8th (60-94)

It has been quite a while since Southport made the postseason... the Sun Sox finished third in 2002 and made the playoffs... and it may be a while before they do it again... Southport is presently in sixth place and 12 games off the pace... Skipper Charley Oscar has a pretty fair pitching corps with a 3.72 ERA (12th) led by Tom Wiley (8-3 2.19), Russ Courtney (8-8 3.38) and Leland Urban (9-6 4.02)... in the bullpen his closer Keith Callahan (1-1 2.86) has been effective... batting-wise the Sun Sox are only average with a .265 BA (17th), 320 runs scored (20th – tied) and 64 homers (17th)... fielding-wise they are a little bit better than average with a .974 FA... Southport has All-Star 1B Charlie Gamble (.302/12 HR/35 RBI/43 R) in its line-up... Gamble is a three-time All-Star, Golden Bat winner (2006) and also a Gold Glover... 7-year IPA vet RF Monty Draycott (.271/14 HR/35 RBI/42 R) still swings a good bat... 7-year veteran LF Big Stick Takala (.290/8 HR/35 RBI/32 R) gives Oscar another experienced and productive bat.

Arroyo Grande Suns
Jean-Luc Marchand, Manager
This season: 7th Place Tie (32-41)
Last season: 6th Place Tie (62-92)

Fans in Arroyo Grande have not had much to cheer about in its seven years in the IPA except for 2005 when the Suns slugged an ungodly total of 260 home runs, by far the most any team has ever hit... But even then the Suns could finish no higher than sixth with a 77-77 record... None of those long-ballers are still on the team... Arroyo Grande has never made the playoffs... this season they are tied for seventh and are 14 games out of first place and headed nowhere... the Suns are average hitters with no power... no pitching... but average in defense... They are hitting .267 (13th), with 336 runs (16th), only 48 homers (28th – tied)... very poor 4.50 ERA (31st)... decent defensively with a .974 FA... free agent All-Star Jet Kazmarek (.304/4 HR/44 RBI/47 R/23 SB) came to the Suns two years ago... Last year's Rookie of the Year 1B Sherm Miles (.255/10 HR/41 RBI/43 R) is still productive, but is suffering a sophomore season slump... Arroyo Grande's only quality pitcher is Miguel Aguilera (9-8 3.30).

San Alejo Montaneros
Lando Peceda, Manager
This season: 7th Place Tie (32-41)
Last season: 6th Place Tie (62-92)

Manager Lando Peceda's Montaneros won the TU South regular season crown its first two seasons in total domination, but have never reached anywhere near those heights since... San Alejo is tied with Arroyo Grande for the cellar and are 14 games back of first place Turon... Peceda's problem is pitching with a 4.33 ERA... the Montaneros don't play defense very well either with a .967 FA... but they do a fair job in the batter's box with a .270 BA (7th), have scored 360 runs (8th) and hit 69 homers (12th)... on the hill San Alejo has two solid veterans in Daniel Fitzmorris (7-7 3.56) and Alberto Herrera (6-6 3.85).