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Eugene Church · 10-19-2008, 06:14 PM

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, July 24, 2001

Around the IPA
Tycobbian Union - West Division

Just when the TU West's top team,Fairfax, finally had a downturn, the second place Bayview Vikings went into a tailspin at the same time. Both clubs have had dismal months. The Viks went 9-15 in July to the Frogs 8-16 and missed a golden opportunity to tighten up the race. Instead of closing the gap to 2-3 games, they are 6 games off the pace.

Manager Walter Johanssen's big concern this season has been starting pitching. Bayview is last with a sorry 4.29 ERA. But he thinks things are looking better with the trade a month ago for All-Star pitcher Jerry Harrison (11-6 3.28) from South Fork of the TU East in return for backup first baseman Keith Burke (.304/4 HR/23 RBI/34 R). Bayview has recently signed Tony Vardaman (1-0 2.95) and Ken Fairchild (1-1 3.5) and both have shown well in relief roles. Vardaman has been promoted to a starter. Paul Hood (8-4 2.78) has also been a standout on the hill for Johanssen. He and Harrison give him a strong 1-2 punch. The Vikings number 3 starter is Frank Wells (8-7 3.90). He has been inconsistent, but is a reliable pitcher. Wells has done well in his last three outings. Fairchild will be a spot starter and long reliever. In the bullpen Buzzy Lewis (4-6 3.14) tops the IPA with 15 saves and 41 relief appearances. However, middle relievers have not done well. Johanssen now has several former starters handling those roles and he looks for improvement there as well. Jesus Carvajal (9-8 4.64), Adrian Strom (6-4 4.76) and Charley Andrews (5-4 5.17) will hold down those slots.

Johanssen is blessed with several outstanding hitters. Bayview batters are third in the division rankings with a .272 batting average, sparked by All-Star second baseman Alan Hansen, an outstanding contact hitter and gloveman. Hansen is flirting with the .400 mark and leads the IPA with a .398 mark. He has 23 doubles, 5 triples, 1 home run and has driven in 34 runs, while scoring 87 times and stealing 39 bases. Hansen tops the IPA in hits, runs and stolen bases. All-Star first baseman Doug Cunningham (.299/14 D/0 T/30 HR/91 RBI/66 R) is first in homers and RBIs and handles the glove well, too. In center field the Viks have another fine defender and hitter, Phil Kanaan (.299/18 D/6 T/8 HR/49n RBI/61 R/13 SB).

Left fielder Glenn Burns (.292/21 D/2 T/7 HR/56 RBI/41 R) and right fielder Dean Howell (.292/27 RBI/31 R/12 SB/63 G) are better-than-average outfielders. To inprove the infield, second string third baseman Vic Boldt (.257/14 RBI/11 R) was obtained from Colfax for backup catcher Jose Hernandez (.276/9 RBI/7 R). Boldt will make them better on defense and give them more power at bat. He will takeover at third immediately.

At shortstop, Shorty Richards (.249/21 D/6 T/9 HR/43 RBI/57 R/18 SB) has been a productive hitter and fielded his position well. Help is needed at catcher. They have provided little offense this season. Bayview just signed 18-year-old backstop Hank Bethel and he will be given a chance to compete for the spot. He hits with power and is a good defender.

Even with all of these changes, on paper the Vikings don't seem to match up to the talent of the Fairfax Frogs. Bayview is destined to battle the Arlon Champions and Blue Lake Blue Sox for the runner-up spot in the Tycobbian Union West pennant chase. A second to fourth place finish could be in the cards.

10-19-2008, 06:14 PM	#504
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 36,047	The Islandian Times Tuesday, July 24, 2001 Around the IPA Tycobbian Union - West Division Just when the TU West's top team,Fairfax, finally had a downturn, the second place Bayview Vikings went into a tailspin at the same time. Both clubs have had dismal months. The Viks went 9-15 in July to the Frogs 8-16 and missed a golden opportunity to tighten up the race. Instead of closing the gap to 2-3 games, they are 6 games off the pace. Manager Walter Johanssen's big concern this season has been starting pitching. Bayview is last with a sorry 4.29 ERA. But he thinks things are looking better with the trade a month ago for All-Star pitcher Jerry Harrison (11-6 3.28) from South Fork of the TU East in return for backup first baseman Keith Burke (.304/4 HR/23 RBI/34 R). Bayview has recently signed Tony Vardaman (1-0 2.95) and Ken Fairchild (1-1 3.5) and both have shown well in relief roles. Vardaman has been promoted to a starter. Paul Hood (8-4 2.78) has also been a standout on the hill for Johanssen. He and Harrison give him a strong 1-2 punch. The Vikings number 3 starter is Frank Wells (8-7 3.90). He has been inconsistent, but is a reliable pitcher. Wells has done well in his last three outings. Fairchild will be a spot starter and long reliever. In the bullpen Buzzy Lewis (4-6 3.14) tops the IPA with 15 saves and 41 relief appearances. However, middle relievers have not done well. Johanssen now has several former starters handling those roles and he looks for improvement there as well. Jesus Carvajal (9-8 4.64), Adrian Strom (6-4 4.76) and Charley Andrews (5-4 5.17) will hold down those slots. Johanssen is blessed with several outstanding hitters. Bayview batters are third in the division rankings with a .272 batting average, sparked by All-Star second baseman Alan Hansen, an outstanding contact hitter and gloveman. Hansen is flirting with the .400 mark and leads the IPA with a .398 mark. He has 23 doubles, 5 triples, 1 home run and has driven in 34 runs, while scoring 87 times and stealing 39 bases. Hansen tops the IPA in hits, runs and stolen bases. All-Star first baseman Doug Cunningham (.299/14 D/0 T/30 HR/91 RBI/66 R) is first in homers and RBIs and handles the glove well, too. In center field the Viks have another fine defender and hitter, Phil Kanaan (.299/18 D/6 T/8 HR/49n RBI/61 R/13 SB). Left fielder Glenn Burns (.292/21 D/2 T/7 HR/56 RBI/41 R) and right fielder Dean Howell (.292/27 RBI/31 R/12 SB/63 G) are better-than-average outfielders. To inprove the infield, second string third baseman Vic Boldt (.257/14 RBI/11 R) was obtained from Colfax for backup catcher Jose Hernandez (.276/9 RBI/7 R). Boldt will make them better on defense and give them more power at bat. He will takeover at third immediately. At shortstop, Shorty Richards (.249/21 D/6 T/9 HR/43 RBI/57 R/18 SB) has been a productive hitter and fielded his position well. Help is needed at catcher. They have provided little offense this season. Bayview just signed 18-year-old backstop Hank Bethel and he will be given a chance to compete for the spot. He hits with power and is a good defender. Even with all of these changes, on paper the Vikings don't seem to match up to the talent of the Fairfax Frogs. Bayview is destined to battle the Arlon Champions and Blue Lake Blue Sox for the runner-up spot in the Tycobbian Union West pennant chase. A second to fourth place finish could be in the cards. Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-19-2008 at 06:19 PM.