The Islandian Times

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Far Mountain Ace Kelly Wins RU Golden Arm Award
Robby Kelly of the Far Mountain Redhawks might be an old man, but he can still pitch with the best of them. Today the 35-year-old hurler snagged the Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm Award honors for his outstanding 2012 performance. He posted a 2.38 ERA with 22 wins, 8 losses, 131 strikeouts and 78 walks in 299 innings. Kelly completed 23 games. The Redhawk star is 183-125 in his 12-year IPA career with a fine 3.01 ERA.

Kelly beat out some tough competition for the award. 21-year-old Nicky Perrier of the Glasco Athletics finished a very close second with a 23-9 record and a sterling 2.34 ERA. Wynnamac's standout southpaw Jerry Meeks posted a 21-12 mark and a great 2.17 ERA and wound up third in the BNN poll. Meeks led the RU in ERA.

TU's Best Hurler is Terranova
The Golden Arm Award for 2012 has been presented and the Tycobbian Union winner is 30-year-old Blackie Terranova of South Fork. "It's always nice to receive an award like this," said Terranova. "I just hope I can improve on my performance next year and be in the running again," the Stallions star told reporters. Terranova excelled with an impressive 25-6 record in 40 starts. In 320 innings he yielded 278 hits and 80 walks, while striking out 190 and compiling a fine 2.59 ERA. Terranova is 59-33 with a career 3.14 ERA in his 3-year career.

Terranova outpaced Cody Burg of the Cape Coral Hurricanes and Nicky Engstrom of the Turon Typhoons for this year's honor. Burg has won it twice previously and Engstrom took the trophy last year. All of them are right-handed pitchers. Burg was 24-10 on the year with a TU-leading 2.08 ERA, while the 23-year-old Engstrom posted a 2.26 ERA, good enough for a 20-13 record. Burg is only 30 and is the all-time wins leader in the IPA with a remarkable 208-128 mark and a splendid 2.53 ERA in his 12 seasons. Engstrom has been around the IPA only 3 years, but they have been sensational seasons. He has notched a superlative 63-27 record with a fantastic 2.14 ERA.

The Islandian Times

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Garza Best RU Rookie in 2012
2012 was not much of a year for rookies in the Ruthlandian Union. It was tough for them to make a roster as most teams were veteran-dominated. There were no clear-cut winners this season. However, there were a few newcomers that made a dent in the league. Volusia's Rafael Garza was one of the few good newcomers. The Vigilantes 23-year-old first baseman was the cream of the freshman crop in the RU and today he received the 2012 Rookie of the Year Award. He played in 125 games, compiling a .318 batting average with 148 hits, 7 home runs, 46 walks and a .381 on-base percentage. Garza also chipped in 47 RBIs and scored 59 times.

Second in the poll was Sligo closer Lenny Ciaccio, who saved 27 games for the Rovers and compiled a 9-7 mark with a 3.79 ERA. Belair Beach reliever Frank Shaffner received the third-highest vote count. The 21-year-old righty chalked up an 8-2 record with a fine 2.59 ERA in 31 appearances. San Dimas right fielder Norm Owens was fourth in the balloting. He hit .285 with 12 homers and 67 RBIs. The only other votegetter was San Dimas right-hander Rafael Vargas, who fashioned a 10-9 record and a 3.92 ERA in 24 outings.

Tycobbian Union Honors Turon's Kingsford
The Tycobbian Union had a much better rookie class than the the Ruthlandian Union this season, mainly because of Clyde Kingsford, the fine Turon first baseman. The Tycobbian Union announced its Rookie of the Year Award for 2012 and the honor went to Kingsford, who was so good that he finished second in the Golden Bat competition. The 26-year-old Typhoons newcomer took the rookie trophy by hitting .330 in 148 games and finished with 176 hits, 38 home runs, 127 RBIs and 99 runs scored. Kingsford was the hands-down winner.

A distant second was Summerland's standout center fielder Jim Garrison, who bagged 32 doubles, 11 triples, 27 home runs, 88 RBIs and scored 86 runs. Number three in the BNN poll was Rick Prichard, who was signed in June by the Bayview Vikings and put up a very impressive 10-3 record with a 3.38 ERA in 18 starts.

The Islandian Times

Friday, October 12, 2012

RU Honors 2012 Golden Glove Award Winners
"Flashing the leather" and "good with the glove" are ways to describe players who help their teams by thwarting the opponent's offense. Sugar Valley's great catcher Hal Stevenson was acclaimed to the Dream Team for the fifth time, Belle Plaine's third baseman extraordinaire Warren McDaniel won for the third time and Rocky Rapids fine left fielder Scott Camden is now a two-time winner. All others were first-timers. Today the most dependable glovemen in the Ruthlandian Union for 2012 were announced. Golden Glove Awards will be presented to these top-notch defenders:

Pitcher: Pablo Orantes (LaGrange Sports) .990 FA (18-13 2.63)
Catcher: Hal Stevenson (Sugar Valley Rattlers) .994/FA/41.5% RTO/4 PB (.293 BA)
First Baseman: Ray Slater (Beechwood Bobcats) .997 FA/116 A (.308 BA)
Second Baseman: Darrell Woods (Beechwood Bobcats) .987 FA/ 471 A (.273 BA)
Third Baseman: Warren McDaniel (Belle Plaine Musketeers) .968 FA/384 A (.250 BA)
Shortstop: Don Nichols (Far Mountain Redhawks) .978 FA/565 A (.302 BA)
Left Fielder: Scott Camden (Rocky Rapids Snappers) .979 FA/328 PO/15 A (.293 BA)
Center Fielder: Rickey Alfonso (San Dimas Rancheros) .998 FA/401 PO/4 A (.274 BA)
Right Fielder: Kippy Doyle (Waleska Westerners) .993 FA/264 PO/6 A (.312 BA)

TU Announces 2012 Top Gloves
On the defensive side of the game pitchers always get the glory, but the best pitchers know their success hinges on the gloves behind them. Only two multi-year winners this season. Arlon's catcher Mike Felker and North Hills first sacker Masaichi Okaza picked up their second Gold Glove. The defensive dream team in the Tycobbian Union for 2012 has been announced, and the Golden Glove Award trophies will be presented to these outstanding fielders:

Pitcher: Duke DeVree (Bay St. Clair Buccaneers) .987 FA (15-13 3.33)
Catcher: Mike Felker (Arlon Champions) .994 FA/42.3% RTO/3 PB (.278 BA)
First Baseman: Masaichi Okawa (North Hills Hawks) .994 FA/105 A (.255 BA)
Second Baseman: Jud Turchin (Hartsdale Hellcats) .980 FA/538 A (.297 BA)
Third Baseman: Bobby Ritter (South Fork Stallions) .970 FA/ 351 A (.326 BA)
Shortstop: Jose Aguilar (Red Bluff Red Sox) .976 FA/593 A (.315 BA)
Left Fielder: Dickie Nordhagen (Luxora Zorros) .994 FA/300 PO/12 A (.289 BA)
Center Fielder: Rick Hilliard (Blue Lake Blue Sox) .997 FA/353 PO/6 A (.286 BA)
Right Fielder: Gilberto Montenegro (Tuckanarra Blue Jays) .987 FA/207 PO/15 A (.272 BA)

The Islandian Times

Saturday, October 13, 2012

2012 Ruthlandian Union Final Batting Statistics

The Islandian Times

Saturday, October 13, 2012

2012 Ruthlandian Union Final Pitching Statistics

The Islandian Times

Saturday, October 13, 2012

2012 Tycobbian Union Final Batting Statistics

The Islandian Times

Saturday, October 13, 2012

2012 Tycobbian Union Final Pitching Statistics

The Islandian Times

Sunday, October 14, 2012

FM's Robby Kelly MVP In RU
The Far Mountain Redhawks won more games than anyone in the IPA this season and was one of the prime reasons was pitcher Robby Kelly, who racked up a 22-8 record to pace them to their fourth consecutive RU North pennant. For his excellent season Kelly hauled in the Ruthlandian Union Most Valuable Player Award for 2012. The 35-year-old right-hander completed 23 of his 36 starts and compiled a 2.38 ERA, third-best in the league. Kelly led the entire IPA with 6 shutouts. This was the first time Kelly has claimed the MVP honor. He also was selected as the best pitcher in the RU and took the Golden Arm trophy this year. Outfielder Jet Kazmarek is the only player to win the award twice. He won in successive seasons in 2002 and 2003 while playing for Valmara.

Two very fine batters finished second and third in the BNN MVP poll. Golden Bat winner Mike Luzzatti was the runner-up. The Claxton Diamond first baseman worked over RU pitching to the tune of 40 homers, 124 RBIs, 116 runs and a .332 batting average. Sligo's splendid left-fielder Fred Collins came in third with another fine year. He batted .332 in leading the Rovers to the RU West crown. Collins totaled 28 homers, 96 RBIs, scored 110 times and stole 30 bases.

Terranova's Terrific Year Nets TU MVP
It was the year of the pitcher as far as the major awards in the IPA. South Fork's Blackie Terranova was also a double winner like Kelly. Not only did he win the Golden Arm Award, the 30-year-old righty took home the Tycobbian Union Most Valuable Player trophy. Terranova was 25-6 with a .2.59 ERA and almost single-handedly won the TU East title. Sadly however, because of poor offense, the Stallions fell 2 games short of the pennant. It really is amazing that Terranova won that many games with such poor run support. The only player to ever win the MVP twice in the TU was Fairfax's star left fielder Dane Wesner, who was picked in 2010 and 2011.

Two sluggers were Terranova's main competition. East Point's second baseman and Golden Bat winner Jesse Goodwin wound up a very close second with 50 home runs, 138 RBIs, 114 runs, while hitting at a .333 clip. Goodwin paced the IPA in homers and RBIs. Rookie phenom Clyde Kingsford was third in the close 3-way race. The Turon first sacker hit .330 with 38 home runs and 127 runs batted in.

I'll get busy and work on season 13.

In order to move faster, I will only give a final summary of the league, instead of covering it at mid-season, too.

I want to get through 30 seasons. I will speed up the process.

I intend to add the mythical greats of the movies and literature this season. You should see "The Natural" Roy Hobbs, Crash Davis, Ebby "Nuke" LaLoosh, "Mr. Baseball" Jack Eliott, Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn and all of Duane Decker's Blue Sox in the league this year. Decker wrote about a dozen books that covered all of the Blue Sox players. I read them in study hall in the 50's at Murphy High in Mobile, Alabama. Dream Teams is a fan of the books as well. He created the great Metro League dynasty.

The Islandian Times

Sunday, June 16, 2013

2013 Glitter Game Set For Far Mountain
Showcase for the Stars -- The 2013 Islandian Pro Alliance All-Star Game. It's a great game for the fans. The All-Star Classic comes around each year at this time to the delight of every baseball fan. All of gifted and talented players from the Ruthlandian Union and Tycobbian Union come together and show their wares on the baseball diamond. The top players go toe-to-toe with one another to get the bragging rights for their league. The game will be played at Sky High Stadium in Far Mountain Wednesday afternoon. Tycobbia has won 9 of the 12 All-Star games. However, Ruthlandia has been victorious in the last two contests.

Heading up the RU Stars are 6-time All-Star Hal Stevenson, 5-time selections Mike Luzzatti and Don Nichols, 4-time honorees Ilya Szabo, Hollis Waldrup and Trip Holmes, and Lloyd Voss and Jim Rose, who has been chosen 3 times apiece. Dane Wesner and Zeppy Deshotel pace the TU Stars, both have made the dream team 6 times each. Tom Brabant has been honored 5 times and Jud Turchin on 4 occasions. 3-time choices are Don Holden, Jesse Goodwin, Karl Benson, Cameron Kamara, Bobby Steitz, Rocco Belasario and Mac Faulkner.

Selected to play for the Ruthlandian Union All-Stars are:

SP D. Edenborough (SLI) 13-3 2.31
SP V. Rastelli (SLI) 10-4 2.00
SP I. Szabo (CFX) 11-4 2.39
SP W. Crawford (FM) 10-5 2.25
SP G. Hersh (VOL) 8-5 1.86
SP J. Cartner (CFX) 11-4 2.59
SP N. Deville (GLS) 10-2 2.98
SP D. Jumonville (BEE) 9-5 2.57
CL V. Markovic (VLK) 2-6 2.03 23 Saves
CL G. Tenbrook (BB) 4-0 1.16 16 Saves
C T. Tillman (WYN) .295/2/30/37
C L. Carter (ELN) .302/14/49/45
C H. Stevenson (SV) .309/19/58/39
1B A. Doiron (FC) .345/7/34/50
1B P. Skrmetta (TAR) .288/14/42/57
1B M. Luzzatti (CLX) .337/17/55/52
2B P. Shelton (RR) .312/19/62/50
2B H. Waldrup (SLI) .314/8/29/55
2B J. Rose (MDF) .296/16/42/48
3B V. Sardisco (STJ) .346/9/44/31
3B A. Jalenak (VLM) .314/10/37/43
3B V. Scalzi (RAN) .346/9/44/31
SS D. Nichols (FM) .330/14/48/47
SS S. Hammill (BP) .357/12/52/47
LF M. Jaffe (STO) .345/15/46/41
LF J. Judlin (FC) .349/18/52/55
LF A. Kennedy (TAR) .333/11/41/42
CF K. MacPhail (KIL) .309/10/47/35
CF T. Holmes (CCR) .292/13/58/38
CF R. Hobbs (WLK) .384/10/59/52
RF L. Voss (ELN) .381/7/40/50
RF E. Stosha (CCR) .343/9/37/51
RF A. Marshall (TAR) .296/20/59/46

The Tycobbian Union All-Stars will have these players on their roster:

SP J. Russell (DC) 12-4 2.11
SP D. Quartermain (CHI) 12-3 2.06
SP K. Hill (FFX) 14-3 2.79
SP T. Bristow (TUC) 10-5 2.09
SP J. Hampton (FFX) 11-4 2.13
SP J. Rainer (HM) 12-2 2.81
SP N. Engstrom (TUR) 11-2 2.58
SP T. Wrightman (LUX) 9-4 2.50
CL J. Rabelais (ARL) 5-4 2.23 17 Saves
CL F. Gerber (SUM) 5-1 1.37 12 Saves
C B. O'Brian (MAH) .310/11/46/43
C C. Davis (GIN) .320/14/44/51
C D. Holden (AG) .282/10/39/42
1B J. Elliott (HM) .378/33/69/63
1B J. Peters (SF) .336/18/55/54
1B T. Brabant (HAR) .332/22/53/40
1B J. Carducci (MAH) .304/25/63/49
1B C. Kingsford (TUR) .311/19/58/48
2B J. Turchin (HAR) .289/14/49/46
2B J. Goodwin (EP) .302/24/61/51
3B C. Kamara (OXF) .312/22/58/51
3B K. Benson (BAY) .295/21/60/48
SS D. Conroy (BAY) .321/17/52/41
SS B. Steitz (LC) .331/7/34/50
LF R. Belasario (ARL) .289/12/45/49
LF M. Faulkner (HAR) .332/17/39/40
CF J. Lee (MDW) .313/16/47/46
CF Z. Deshotel (LC) .337/24/68/54
CF D. Lewis (RH) .333/9/47/59
RF D. Nordhagen (LUX) .352/8/42/59
RF D. Wesner (FFX) .360/14/50/42
RF K. Grabowski (RB) .377/7/34/37

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

RU Stars Rout TU Stars 10-3 In IPA All-Star Game
The power has shifted in the IPA as the Ruthlandian All-Stars routed the Tycobbian All-Stars 10-3 at Sky High Stadium in Far Mountain. This is the third straight triumph for Ruthlandian in the All-Star competition. The RU has also won the last three Pro Cups. The RU Stars ripped TU pitching for 13 hits to win going away. Most of the damage was done in the 3-run second and the 4-run eighth. 1B Pietro Skrmetta's (Taranto) 2-run double in the second and LF Mike Jaffe's (Stoner) 3-run homer in the eighth were the big blows of the game. Jaffe was voted the game's MVP by the sportswriters. Ilya Szabo (Colfax) got credit for the victory with 2 scoreless innings, while starter Des Quartermain (Chicopee) was shelled for 4 runs in the first 2 frames for the loss. Tycobbia didn't score until the seventh when they picked up one run. Ruthlandia promptly put the game out of reach with a 4-run outburst in the next inning. 3B Karl Benson (Bayview) led the TU with a solo home run in the ninth. They were held to 7 hits in the game by 8 RU hurlers. Tycobbia still has a wide lead in the All-Star series. Overall they have won 9 of the 13 clashes.

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Rookie Roy Hobbs Wins RU Batting Title
You might say the 20-year-old Waleska rookie center fielder is a natural. In his first IPA season Hobbs went to the plate 567 times, collected 202 hits and came away with the 2013 Ruthlandian Union batting title. His .356 average placed him at the top of the list. Hobbs played in 142 games and had 22 home runs, 104 RBIs and 105 runs scored.

Hobbs beat out Lloyd Voss, the veteran Elnora left fielder, for the batting crown. Voss batted .348 with 19 roundtrippers, 105 RBIs and scored 93 times. Third in the race was Belle Plaine fine freshman shortstop Scott Hammill, who hit an impressive .346 with 19 home runs, 105 RBIs and tallied 93 runs.

Fairfax's Wesner Is TU Swing King
Dane Wesner gave Frogs fans plenty to cheer about this past year. His latest achievement, the 2013 Tycobbian Union batting crown, gives them one more good reason to celebrate. In 132 games, the Fairfax right fielder hit .368 with 180 hits, 34 home runs, 106 RBIs and 91 runs scored. It was Wesner's second batting title in his 6-year career. He is a .342 lifetime hitter in the IPA.

Wesner got the best of High Mesa's sensational rookie Jack Elliott in the batting competition. Elliott won just about every other offensive category in the IPA, including a record number of homers, but finished second in hitting. The 20-year-old first sacker pounded 61 out of the park to top East Point's Karol Zodoka's 2002 mark of 54 roundtrippers. Elliott posted a .355 batting average and also led the IPA with 144 runs batted in and 134 runs scored. He was almost a Triple Crown winner in his freshman year in the league.

Zeppy Deshotel, La Claire's brilliant center fielder, was third with a .350 BA. Deshotel slugged 44 home runs, drove in 125 and scored 114 times. He also stole 44 bases in a very productive season.

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

2013 Ruthlandian North Final Standings and Team Batting and Pitching Statistics

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 19, 2013

Redhawks RU North Champs 5th Year In A Row
The defending IPA Pro Cup crownbearers, the Far Mountain Redhawks, captured their phenomenal 5th successive Ruthlandian North title with relative ease and will now go in quest of its 3rd consecutive Pro Cup. Alex Groveland's Redhawks pulled away in hot days of summer and finished 7 games up on second place Kilkenny, 9 games ahead of Taranto and beat Glasco by 15 to claim the division again.

Far Mountain (93-61) did it with great pitching. The Redhawk staff compiled a superlative 3.18 team ERA, first in the RU. Youngsters Woody Crawford (23-9 2.47) and Rich Burton (14-4 2.47) combined with veterans Robby Kelly (19-16 3.17) and Boomerang Hines (14-5 2.53) to form one of the best rotations in the IPA. Dependable 3B Duane Parsons (.293/27/106/92) and SS Don Nichols (.293/20/82/89) led the fair offense, which hit only .258 (14th).

The second place Kilkenny Cats (86-68) featured a good starting foursome in a good year under manager Kieran McKenna. His pitching corps was headed up by southpaw Sidney McFarlane (19-9 3.46), who blossomed in his sophomore season. Matt DeRosa (18-10 3.49), obtained in a trade with Hartsdale of the TU, stood out as well. Rounding out the starters were vet Roger Davidson (18-14 3.03) and rookie Kyle Ferguson (10-3 3.01). The Cats have never made the Pro Cup playoffs. They missed this year because of a lack of offense. Kilkenny hit only .257 (18th), but does have a fine defensive club with a .977 FA, second-best in the league. McKenna's Cats need more run production. CF Kevin McPhail (.325/17/92/86) is his best bat.

Manager Tommaso Lazzorda guided his hard-hitting Taranto Tars (84-70) to third place with a long ball attack. The Tars totaled 225 homers to lead the entire IPA. 10 players hit 10 or more home runs, paced by the talented rookie RF Augie Marshall (.315/42/126/106), LF Arnie Kennedy (.303/27/88/85), 2B Ed Miles (.281/25/85/105) and 1B Pietro Skrmetta (.205/26/83/114). It is a plus and minus playing in the Palazzo di Sport with its short dimensions. The hitters love it, but not so for the pitchers. Lazzorda's staff put up a 4.29 ERA (28th) and ranked near the bottom. However, Jay Cervini (14-11 3.11) and Anthony Zinacola (15-9 3.94) both did a fine job for him. A few more like them would give the Tars a fighting chance to challenge the powerful Far Mountain Redhawks.

The Glasco Athletics (78-76) were just an ordinary ballclub and wound up fourth in the RU North standings with McDuffie Hughes at the helm. The A's had no power with only 89 home runs (32nd) and only average pitching with a 3.59 team ERA (12th). Glasco does possess two impressive hurlers in Nicky Perrier (20-12 2.25), who has won 20 games each year since he has been in the league. Perrier has played 3 years now and chalked up 63 victories. Hughes' other quality arm is lefty Nick Deville, who came over from the Tycobbian Union in a trade with Kenwood. Deville fashioned a solid 17-10 year with a 3.02 ERA. The Athletics top run producers are SS Lee Sullivan (.290/16/87) and 40-year-old RF Ike Plunkett (.288/18/72), who is winding down an excellent career. Plunkett has over 300 homers and over a 1,000 RBIs and runs in his 13 years in the league. Plunkett has a lifetime .301 batting average. He is a shoo-in for the IPA Hall of Fame.

The LaGrange Sports (76-78) came in fifth this year, but trailed by 17 games. Foxy Jimison did not have a lot to smile about this year. His hitting was poor with a .248 BA (28th) and pitching was only average with a 3.80 ERA (17th). 36-year-old vet LF Quincy Peterson (.277/30/77/101) can still fill the bill with the bat, but had little help. LaGrange has just three pitchers of note: starters Pablo Orantes (17-14 3.25) and portsider Denny Kristensen (15-18 3.03), along with a super closer Andre Dupas (6-5 2.18), who had 31 saves.

It was another disappointing season for the Ancona Red Elephants (70-84) and manager Manny Mickens. The club ended the year sixth and trailed by 23 games. They hit .259 (13th) with decent power. The Red Elephants rapped 141 homers (8th). On the mound they were pathetic with a 4.48 ERA (31st). Team leaders at plate were their veteran 1B Johnny Lee Harder (.319/24/108/88), who had another standout season, a terrific rookie LF Kenny Willard (.290/26/92/90) and dependable RF Louis DiMucci (.280/26/72/77). On the hill, it was starter Yannis Vardakis (19-14 3.92) and superb closer John Sharpe, who was 6-3 on the season with 33 saves and a microscopic 1.99 ERA in 54 games.

For the fifth year in a row the once-proud Ranford Bulls (68-86) of Page Satcher have staggered home in the second division. They have not made the playoffs in 8 years after being a postseason power in its first four seasons in the IPA. This season the Bulls languished in seventh place, 25 games off the pace. Satcher just doesn't have much talent in Ranford. 37-year-old lefty Chris Bernhoffer (15-16 3.63) is his best pitcher, while his top bats are rookie 3B Vic Scalzi (.293/27/97/94) and 9-year-veteran 1B Billy Massengale (.279/25/83/89).

For the first seven seasons in the IPA the Valmara Vipers (63-91) prospered under the leadership of skipper J. Jackson Samuel. The Vipers won 2 pennants and regularly contended for the RU North title, but not lately. For the last 6 years Valmara has only one first division finish and that was only fourth place in 2012. 2013 was the Vipers worst year ever. They plunged to the cellar and wound up 30 games in back of the champion Far Mountain. Valmara is at the bottom in all categories. They batted a paltry .241 (32nd) and registered a very poor 4.39 team ERA (29th). 13-year man Vanya Vasylenko (11-16 3.76) is still around at age 31 and still a capable starter. He has won 190 games in his career. Samuel's best batter is 31-year-old RF Lou Gdowski (.282/18/90/80). Sadly Valmara doesn't have much after those two vets.

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

2013 Ruthlandian South Final Standings and Team Batting and Pitching Statistics

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

STJ September Surge Sinks Sunbirds
The surprising St. John Crusaders came on strong in crunch time and nailed down their 3rd Ruthlandian South flag. Dickie Billings' boys also won the title in 2007 and 2003. To win it, St. John had to beat the battle-tested Belair Beach Sunbirds, who wilted in September and allowed the Crusaders to surge past them by 3 games in the final week of the season. The Crystal Lake Crushers came in third, finishing just 5 games back. The San Dimas Rancheros were in the fourth spot, coming in 10 games behind.

St. John (87-67) was the comeback kids this season as they rose up from 7th place in 2012. Billings' ballclub succeeded with a good offense. They hit .265 (7th) and were one of the top-scoring teams with 790 runs (2nd). The Crusaders possess a solid batting order with decent power (129 HR-14th) and enough pitching to survive (3.63 ERA-13th). Billings' bullpen was outstanding and was anchored by left-hander Pat Chevalier, who saved 18 saves with a 9-7 mark and a fantastic 1.88 ERA. St. John's top twirler was Ken Wheeler (17-6 3.04), along with Teddy Garson (17-10 4.25). The big bats belonged to 3B Vinny Sardisco (.309/23/107/74), RF Clayton Luck (.296/12/46/127), 2B Tony Borcellino (.269/13/84) and C Virgil Carpenter (.259/17/82).

Belair Beach (84-70) slumped severely in September with a 4-10 record, while St. John swept past with a 10-4 mark. Poor hitting cost the Sunbirds their 4th RU South pennant as they came up 3 games short. Manager Marty Pedroza team hit well for average with a .264 mark (9th), but had trouble scoring (683-17th). Belair Beach's best bats were RF Billy Martz (.314/10/56/65), SS Ronnie Nossek (.298/15/70/72) and LF Ron Dizon (.259/23/70/69), none of which really had a good season. Pedroza's best pitchers were veteran starters Jeff Nieman (16-8 3.36) and Tiny Lindgren (15-11 3.66) and closer Groot Tenbrook (6-3 1.89), who piled up 29 saves. As a team they compiled a pretty good 3.72 ERA (16th). The Sunbirds are the best defensive club in Ruthlandia with a .979 FA (1st).

Manager Herman "Baby" George improved his pitching and offense over the winter and that translated into a strong 3rd place finish for Crystal Lake (82-72). The Crushers contended into the final days of the regular season, but failed to make the postseason for the 12th season in a row. Ben Dewberry (19-8 3.17), Al Duhon (17-15 3.83) and closer Jeff Jernigan (5-7 2.63) kept them in the race, along with the some good hitting from superstud 1B Phil Gravelli (.311/21/113/80), standout rookie RF Chip Fiske (.333/7/71/102/45 SB) and 2B Nelson Tolliver (.272/19/94/63). Jerrigan, a 29-year-old southpaw, led the league with 35 saves this year.

Paco Banderos' San Dimas Rancheros (77-77) ran a good race until a bad August (12-17) sent them plunging. At the end they were 10 games off the pace. Future Hall-of-Famer Carl Schmitz paced the pitching corps with a fine 18-14 record and a 2.84 ERA. The 36-year-old Schmitz is 220-160 in his 13 seasons. Closer Raul Marroquin racked up 32 saves with a 4-7 mark and an impressive 2.78 ERA in 53 games. However, San Dimas couldn't overcome an anemic offense. Banderos' most productive hitters were SS Greg Lawrence with 18 homers and 100 RBIs and 1B Ron Armstrong with 29 roundtrippers and 99 RBIs, but they batted only .241 and .258 respectively.

The 5th spot in the RU South standings went to McGraw Johnson's Waleska Westerners (75-79), who trailed first place St. John by 12 games. His club hits well for contact with a .267 batting average (6th), but lacks power with just 110 home runs (30th). Waleska's pitching is poor, too. Johnson's staff could only manage a 4.09 team ERA. 9-year vet Wilson Whitmore led the squad with a 14-14 record and a 3.19 ERA. The Westerners added a budding superstar this season. CF Roy Hobbs (.356/22/104/105) had a marvelous rookie season. Other capable run producers were LF Kippy Doyle (.307/20/90/74), 3B Grant Betzer (.296/10/64/101) and 1B DePaul Labat (.264/14/71/96). Johnson is only a pitcher or two and one hitter away from a solid pennant contender.

2013 was a very dismal year for Stacy Engel and his Claxton Diamonds (74-80), who tumbled unexpectedly from 2nd place to 6th, 13 games off the pace. Both the Diamonds pitching and hitting went south this season. Alex Vanzetti was Engel's only steady pitcher with a 13-10 record and 3.30 ERA. It wasn't much better at the plate except for 1B Mike Luzzatti (.300/31/97/97), one of the IPA all-time greats. Luzzatti got a little help from RF Helmut Graczyk, who had 24 home runs, 81 runs and 81 RBIs, but had an off-year with a .260 average. Graczyk is a .298 lifetime hitter and has averaged over 100 RBIs and 100 runs scored in his 9 years in the league.

The seventh place Valka Blackhawks (72-82) are short of talent and wound up 15 games out of first. Skipper Jaan Kurus has four quality performers. Rookie Eddie Lasky (14-14 3.38) impressed the experts and looks to be a future star, while vets Connie Krueger(17-12 3.70) and closer Vinko Markovic did quality work, too. Markovic totaled 33 saves with a splendid 1.98 ERA, but he put up a very poor 4-10 mark. Valka suffers badly in the offensive department. Kurus' only top-notch hitter is 24-year-old Kurt Jankauskas. The gifted left fielder cracked 33 homers, scored 94 times and batted in 107 runs.

Last place went to the Grand City Cybercats (62-92) and deservedly so. Manager Torry Joseph's crew was the worst team in the RU and second worst in the IPA. Only East Point (53-101) of the TU East won fewer games. Poor pitching and poor hitting says it all. Grand City had only two pretty fair players. Rookie 3B Jug Slavin was Joseph's top batter with a .299 batting average, 17 homers and 93 RBIs, while closer Paul McBride was his best hurler. McBride went 7-7, saved 23 games and posted a 3.60 ERA.

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

2013 Ruthlandian East Final Standings and Team Batting and Pitching Statistics

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Wynnamac Edges Elnora In Playoff, Wins RU East
The Wynnamac Sundowners fought off the Elnora All-Stars in a close race to claim their 2nd Ruthlandian East flag. Matt Donnelly's Sundowners nipped the All-Stars 6-5 in a one-game playoff and edged them out by a single game. Wynnamac won its first title in 2008. Third place went to the Beechwood Bobcats, who finished 6.5 games out with fourth place going to the Marston Nine. Marston trailed by 12.5 games.

Wynnamac's (87-68) pitching carried them. ERA leader Jerry Meeks (22-6 2.47), Gene Fair (17-13 3.69) and Lenny Ward (10-3 2.97) were Donnelly's mainstays on the mound, while his top hitters were LF Big Hoss Burkhalter (.269/24/103/96), RF Joey Eaton (.317/24/79/87) and CF Clive Farnham (.279/25/79/83). Rookie C Tweet Tillman (.301/4/57/74) made an impact defensively and offensively.

The Elnora All-Stars (86-69) almost hit their way to the division crown, but fell one game short. Manager Zoggy White's charges belted the ball at a .275 rate (2nd) and were paced by star RF Lloyd Voss (.348/19/81/100), a career .339 hitter after 8 seasons in the IPA. CF Denny Sawyer (.282/22/91/96) and rookie C Leon Carter (.291/24/86/93) made an impact, too. Elnora's pitching was its weakness overall with a 3.83 team ERA, but White did have Taylor Gibbs, who has accumulated 197 wins in his 13 years. The 34-year-old Gibbs seems to be getting better with age. He notched a strong 21-10 record with a 2.94 ERA this year. Another solid veteran Leroy Hill, who came over late last year in a trade with Far Mountain, showed he has plenty of life and plenty of wins left in his 36-year-old arm with a 20-13 mark and a 4.11 ERA.

It was another good year for Bret George. His Beechwood Bobcats (80-74) capped the year in third place, only 6.5 games off the pace. A quartet of 36-year-old pitchers kept the Bobcats in the race the whole season. Starters Dek Jumonville (21-10/2.82), Terry Kuznetsov (18-14/3.27) and Harry Dye (16-14 3.42) gave George a steady rotation. Over the years Jumonville has won 205 games, Kuznetsov 191 and Dye 136. In the bullpen Carl Costas registered 29 saves with a 3.06 ERA, however, he was only 2-8 in wins and losses. Overall Beechwood posted a fine 3.41 team ERA (7th). Weak hitting hurt Beechwood. The Bobcats batted only .253 (26th). George only had two dependable bats. Rookie CF Vic Valenti led the club with a .318 average, swatted 17 homers, scored 77 and batted in 78, while stealing 29 bases. 1B Ray Slater also contributed a .280 average with 6 homers, 58 RBIs, 97 runs and 37 stolen bases.

The fourth place Marston Nine (74-80) ended up 12.5 games behind winning Wynnamac. Skipper Johnny Walters had a fairly good mound corps that compiled a 3.57 ERA (10th), he didn't have much in the way of offense with a .254 batting average (21st). 10-year vet Milt Wilson (19-12 3.17) posted his best season ever at the age of 38. Bullpen specialist John Updike put up some good numbers with a 6-4 mark, 2.77 ERA and 25 saves. Rookie CF Russ Woodward was Marston's best batsman with a .310 average, 29 home runs, 97 RBIs and 86 runs. RF Richie Marrone chipped in 20 homers, 109 runs and 56 RBIs, while hitting .265.

Last year's RU East titleholder Cold Creek (70-84) slumped badly this season and fell all the way to the fifth spot in the standings. T. Kelly Holmes did not have much to be happy about. His hitting and pitching both went into the pits. The Catamounts best performers were pitchers Payton Saunders (19-15 3.66) and closer Shannon Robinson (3-3 2.18), who had 25 saves. At the plate Holmes' grandson, Trip Holmes, had a productive year with 25 homers, 102 RBIs and 81 runs with a so-so .262 BA. Cold Creek's top hitter was the its rock steady RF Emile Stosha, who batted .310 with 17 roundtrippers, 101 runs and 77 runs batted in.

The Belle Plaine Musketeers (68-86) and Sugar Valley Rattlers (68-86) deadlocked for sixth place in the RU East and finished way back, 18.5 games out of first. Muskie manager Boo Ladrieux had a tough time competing with a 4.25 team ERA (27th) and a .258 batting average (15th) with no power whatsoever. Belle Plaine hit only 97 home runs (31st). The Musketeers top hurler were Brad Anderson (17-16 3.48), Jimmy Giroir (10-3 3.44) and relief ace Denny Reynaud (3-7 2.49) with 19 saves. Rookie SS Scott Hammill had an outstanding year with a .346 BA, 19 homers, 105 RBIs and 93 runs scored. Other contributors were 3B Warren McDaniel (.269/20/86/80) and LF Juan Mendez (.292/3/49/98).

Times were once again very hard for manager Gibby Bobkins in Sugar Valley as the Rattlers wallowed near the bottom of the division for the second successive season. The only thing the Rattlers do is hit home runs, but so do the opposing teams. Farmers Memorial Park is only 310 feet down the lines and only 385 in straight away center - hence, it is a homer haven. Sugar Valley hit 150 (6th) out of the park, but other clubs had a feast with 225 homers. Consequently the Rattlers pitching corps posted an atrocious 4.84 ERA (32nd). Bobkins best pitchers were starter Ed Clavell (16-15 4.06) and closer Woody Murrell, who saved 28 games with a 3-4 record and an impressive 2.47 ERA. Sugar Valley was sparked at the plate by 6-time All-Star C Hal Stevenson, who walloped 49 home runs, hit .311 with 134 RBIs and scored 109 times in a great season. LF Austen Conover added a .291 BA with 3 home runs, 102 runs and 56 RBIs, while leading the IPA with 51 steals.

For the third consecutive year the pathetic Eastshore Elegants (66-88) floundered in the RU East cellar, the fifth time in six seasons it has happened. Manager Killer Brewster's crew wound up 20.5 games off the pace. The only bright spots on the club were rookie pitcher Bix Hansen, who racked up an 18-15 mark with a 3.54 ERA and LF Stan Cuccinello, who had another solid season with a .281 average, 29 home runs, 92 RBIs and 90 runs.

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

2013 Ruthlandian West Final Standings and Team Batting and Pitching Statistics

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

FC Lumberjacks Survives 6-team Race In RU West
It was a 6-team dogfight in the Ruthlandian West. Just about every team in the division had a chance to take home the pennant and the automatic slot in the postseason Pro Cup playoffs that determine the overall IPA champion. The Forest City Lumberjacks put the final touches on a fine comeback season by wrapping up the pennant with a 9-5 record in September. Only four games separated first place from sixth place. Runner-ups Fort Benton and Volusia both finished one game out of the top spot, Sligo was fourth and 2 games back, Rocky Rapids was fifth and 3 games out and Colfax ended up sixth, yet only 4 games off the pace in the tightly-bound division.

Last season Forest City (85-69) was deep in the second division in seventh place, but this year manager Rob Jackson got improved pitching and that was all the 'Jacks needed. 171 home runs (2nd) didn't hurt matters, either. Paul Crews (19-9 2.38) had a super season and got plenty of help from veterans Knucks Nomellini (19-15 2.48) and Al Thibaut (16-14 2.83). LF Joe Judlin (.320/35/115/102), 1B Andy Doiron (.329/12/69/92) and rookie CF Joe Callaway (.273/22/73/93/31 SB) led the potent attack. 8 Lumberjacks had 10 or more homers.

Manager Alfonso Feliz has a well-balanced ballclub in Volusia (84-70). Solid hitting and pitching carried the day for the Vigilantes as they climbed up from fifth place in 2012. Volusia almost caught champion Forest City with a strong 10-4 finish in the last month, but ran out of time and wound up one scant game behind Forest City. Hank Massey, a 39-year-old journeyman pitcher, had his best year by far with a 21-14 record and a 3.58 ERA. His best previous season was 9-7 in 2003. Alejandro Rio (14-8 2.80) and hard-luck Gerry Hersh (15-16 2.58) gave the V's two more valuable starters. Closer Paul Zenger saved 30 games and compiled a 4-5 mark with a terrific 2.10 ERA in 50 games. Volusia had good bats throughout the batting order, led by the sensational rookie CF Joe DeLucca (.295/24/100/88), 1B Rafael Garza (.337/13/65-64) and dependable RF Briscoe Crowder (.297/15/74/67).

Perrenial loser Fort Benton (84-70) made quite race of it, but a 5-9 record in September cost them the RU West crown. The Defenders came up one game short and tied for second place. Last year they were sixth and 19 games out. Much like Volusia, skipper Robbie Brooks had a good balance of pitching and hitting. Fort Benton had four capable starters in Ivan Gloeckner (19-6 3.36), Tucker Dawes (17-15 2.81), Tom Waltenbury (16-15 3.68) and Hal Neyland (13-15 3.73). Brooks also had a very reliable closer with David Osborn (6-3 2.88), who saved 23 games and registered a strong 2.88 ERA. The Defenders top run producers were rookie 1B Stretch Stookey (.292/9/64/88), 3B Rafael Lemos (.299/7/80/82) and LF Ryan Smith (.273/24/77/112).

It is hard to see how the defending division champ Sligo Rovers (83-71) did not prevail again this season with great stats - .267 batting average (5th) and a 3.34 ERA (3rd). Manager Eddie Keys seemed to have it all. The Rovers were close, just two games behind in fourth place. A poor second half did them in. Sligo was only 31-38 over the last three months of the season. Vinnie Rastelli (19-12 2.23), Dix Edenborough (18-13 3.37) and Roy Gaines (13-13 3.15) topped Keys' pitching rotation. Lack of a quality closer hurt Sligo. The Rovers bats had plenty of punch with the likes of RF Clell Renshaw (.311/21/89/82), CF Chris Michel (.295/14/82/86/34 SB), SS Vic Carlin (.262/25/96/83), LF Fred Collins (.280/25/81/113) and 2B Hollis Waldrup (.266/14/58/105/50 SB). As a team Sligo went deep 167 times (3rd).

Ryan Noland's Rocky Rapids Snappers (82-72) were one of the most improved teams in the IPA, but they still wound up fifth, but just 3 games out of first place. That the problem of playing in one of the strongest divisions in the IPA. Noland's Snappers did well at the plate and on the hill, paced by pitchers Herbie Drahm (19-11 3.42) and Ernie Watkins (13-13 3.48). Don Chaney (15-20 3.47) also gave Rocky Rapids another quality arm. Sparking the offense were a wealth of good hitters. 3B Paul Shelton (.298/38/122/98) had sensational season. Future Hall-of-Famers LF Scott Camden (.322/30/104/104) and C Hank Bethel (.289/26/98/80) were consistent contributors, along with CF Carl Johnson (.299/26/77/97) and SS Cooter Bermudez (.297/5/57/101).

The Colfax Blasters (81-73) are still a powerhouse, but Clem Rogers' talented crew ended up in an unlikely place this season - sixth place, but only 4 games off the lead. A drop in offense cost Colfax dearly this year. They hit only .247 (27th), down from .266 in 2012. Only CF Ryan Raines (.308/21/86/89) and C Joe Alexander (.255/28/102/81) had good years. On the mound Rogers still has a formidable trio of starters in Ilya Szabo (19-13 2.32), Jimmy Joe Cartner (19-11 2.87) and Jasper LaForge (18-10 3.72). A few hits here and there would have made a tremendous difference in their records. A faulty bullpen was also a big problem for Rogers. Dallas Somerville, a normally-reliable closer, had a lousy year with a 1-10 record with a 3.55 ERA and only 24 saves.

The seventh place Stoner Stars (70-84) are just a mediocre team and haven't made the first division since 2007, when they won the RU West flag. Manager Willie Dickens only has a few quality players. Rookie right-hander Billy Chapel really impressed the experts with a 20-13 mark and a 3.00 ERA. 38-year-old 2B Karol Zodoka, a bonafide Hall-of-Famer, can still handle the bat and the glove. Zodoka batted only .275, but scored 92 runs, hit 23 out of the park and drove in 83 runs, while playing like a Gold Glover. Dickens also has a find in rookie LF Mike Jaffe, who led the club with 26 homers, 89 RBIs and a .316 batting average. Jaffe also scored 86 runs.

The Middlefield Roosters (66-88) had a lot to crow about last year with a surprising jump from the basement to third place, but Smitty Michaels' ballclub quickly dispelled any ideas of grandeur this season with a quick return to the RU West dungeon and eighth place, 19 games behind. The Roosters top players were starter Danny Stewart (16-16 3.01), 2B Jim Rose (.268/25/76/89/25 SB) and CF John Hartung (.257/20/75/92/19 SB).