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Eugene Church · 10-14-2008, 08:11 PM

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, July 24, 2001

Around the IPA
Ruthlandian Union - North Division

The Valmara Vipers, piloted by J. Jackson Samuel, tied last place Elnora for the best record in the division in July with a 14-10 mark. The Vipers are in the fourth spot in the standings, just 4 games back and ready to make a run at Far Mountain, Colfax and Volusia. Pitching is Valmara's Achilles' heel. They are ranked last in the Ruthlandian Union North with an astronomical 4.53 ERA.

Samuel has had only two dependable hurlers this season, but both are dillies. All-Star lefthander Zarek Zalewski (13-5 2.36) has the best ERA in the RU and leads it with four shutouts, while lefty closer Danny Blauser (7-4 2.60) has made 39 game appearances and has saved 6 games. Valmara has gone through 18 pitchers so far during the year. Samuel just added three more over the All-Star break. He also traded for Vance Mitchell (5-4 3.73) and gave up a utility infielder with good potential, Steve Kaminski. Mitchell will move into the starting rotation along with Todd Turner (10-7 4.17) and Gerry Wojcik (2-2 4.23). The three newcomers will be used in middle relief. Kaminski will be installed at second base right away.

It is with the bats that the Vipers excel. The entire Valmara line-up is filled with good hitters. As a team they are batting .280 and have scored more runs than any club in the IPA. Center fielder Jan Szymanski (.273/21 HR/97 RBI/74 R/9 SB) is having a great season and lead the IPA in RBIs, right fielder Jet Kazmarek (.312/21 D/18 T/3 HR/54 RBI/73 R/45 SB) is tops in triples and stolen bases, left fielder Louis Sharp (.328/59 R) is the lead-off man and leads the club in batting average, first baseman Yank Jankowski (.319/44 R) has the second-best average, catcher Yoshi Motsuzuki (.292/10 HR/58 R/19 SB) made the All-Star team and second baseman Floyd Vinson (.306/46 R) is another .300 hitter.

Defensively the Vipers are number one in the RU North with .980 team fielding average. They have a strong infield, but have some error-prone outfielders.

If Mitchell can come through as a starter and the middle relief corps can do a decent job, the Valmara Vipers could be in the thick of things come playoff time.

10-14-2008, 08:11 PM	#493
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,699 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Tuesday, July 24, 2001 Around the IPA Ruthlandian Union - North Division The Valmara Vipers, piloted by J. Jackson Samuel, tied last place Elnora for the best record in the division in July with a 14-10 mark. The Vipers are in the fourth spot in the standings, just 4 games back and ready to make a run at Far Mountain, Colfax and Volusia. Pitching is Valmara's Achilles' heel. They are ranked last in the Ruthlandian Union North with an astronomical 4.53 ERA. Samuel has had only two dependable hurlers this season, but both are dillies. All-Star lefthander Zarek Zalewski (13-5 2.36) has the best ERA in the RU and leads it with four shutouts, while lefty closer Danny Blauser (7-4 2.60) has made 39 game appearances and has saved 6 games. Valmara has gone through 18 pitchers so far during the year. Samuel just added three more over the All-Star break. He also traded for Vance Mitchell (5-4 3.73) and gave up a utility infielder with good potential, Steve Kaminski. Mitchell will move into the starting rotation along with Todd Turner (10-7 4.17) and Gerry Wojcik (2-2 4.23). The three newcomers will be used in middle relief. Kaminski will be installed at second base right away. It is with the bats that the Vipers excel. The entire Valmara line-up is filled with good hitters. As a team they are batting .280 and have scored more runs than any club in the IPA. Center fielder Jan Szymanski (.273/21 HR/97 RBI/74 R/9 SB) is having a great season and lead the IPA in RBIs, right fielder Jet Kazmarek (.312/21 D/18 T/3 HR/54 RBI/73 R/45 SB) is tops in triples and stolen bases, left fielder Louis Sharp (.328/59 R) is the lead-off man and leads the club in batting average, first baseman Yank Jankowski (.319/44 R) has the second-best average, catcher Yoshi Motsuzuki (.292/10 HR/58 R/19 SB) made the All-Star team and second baseman Floyd Vinson (.306/46 R) is another .300 hitter. Defensively the Vipers are number one in the RU North with .980 team fielding average. They have a strong infield, but have some error-prone outfielders. If Mitchell can come through as a starter and the middle relief corps can do a decent job, the Valmara Vipers could be in the thick of things come playoff time. Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-15-2008 at 10:00 PM.