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Eugene Church · 06-16-2009, 03:58 PM

The Islandian Times

March 5, 2004

TU South Tough On Ginza Ninjas
Prior to league expansion the Ginza Ninjas (81-69) were a power in the IPA and went to the Pro Cup Finals in 2001 after finishing second in the regular season to South Fork (86-64). The Stallions whipped the Ninjas by five games and Volusia of the Ruthlandian Union swept them in three games for the overall title. The IPA expanded from 32 to 64 teams in 2002. With stiffer competition Ginza missed the playoffs and fell to 76-78, coming in fifth, 26 games off the pace of powerful San Alejo, which won a record 102 games. Last year the Ninjas compiled an 82-72 mark and wound up fourth, trailing San Alejo by 14 games.

The Tycobbian Union South is filled with fine teams. San Alejo has won two pennants in a row and has won more games (198) than any team in the last two seasons. Turon (84-70) is the defending Pro Cup champions with a sweep of Valmara of the Ruthlandian Union last year. They finished second to San Alejo (96-58), but got hot in the postseason and won it all. Cape Coral, Colchester and Summerland are strong opposition, too. Manager Huroko Uchiyama's Ninjas have the pitching to compete with them, but fall short in the hitting department, ranking dead last in homers with only 84 for the year. By contrast, the SA Montaneros slammed 161 roundtrippers.

The baseball analysts cite this as a critical shortcoming for Ginza and until this is addressed the Ninjas will be a middle of the pack team, struggling to squeeze into the playoffs. Going into the 2004 season, Uchiyama has improved his pitching and defense, but still lacks home run power. Ginza could be passed by better-hitting Colchester and Summerland.

Uchiyama has four solid starters and a standout closer, but plans to give his 33-year-old rookie righthander Toshi Takeda some spot starts and will use him primarily in long relief. The Ninja skipper has re-signed several players from the successful 2001 team that made the IPA finals, telling the press that "they play good defense, are experienced and fundamentally sound". Most of them will be back-up players, except RF Takashi Fujimoto, who will platoon in the outfield. Uchiyama said, "Fujimoto is one of my favorite players. He is a winner. That's why I brought him back."

Top Pitchers: Carl Trebek (20-14 3.07), Alex Sasek (12-4 2.66), Kojiro Matsumoto (16-15 3.68), Kazuhiro Nakayama (17-16 3.56) and closer Ray Funkhouser (6-6 2.61) with 16 saves in 46 games.

Top Batters: 1B Kenshin Yamamoto (.316 BA, 17 HR/68 RBI), 2B Ken Mack (.329 BA/6 HR/64 RBI) and SS Dave Torregrossa (.309 BA/10 HR/64 RBI)

06-16-2009, 03:58 PM	#1018
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 5, 2004 TU South Tough On Ginza Ninjas Prior to league expansion the Ginza Ninjas (81-69) were a power in the IPA and went to the Pro Cup Finals in 2001 after finishing second in the regular season to South Fork (86-64). The Stallions whipped the Ninjas by five games and Volusia of the Ruthlandian Union swept them in three games for the overall title. The IPA expanded from 32 to 64 teams in 2002. With stiffer competition Ginza missed the playoffs and fell to 76-78, coming in fifth, 26 games off the pace of powerful San Alejo, which won a record 102 games. Last year the Ninjas compiled an 82-72 mark and wound up fourth, trailing San Alejo by 14 games. The Tycobbian Union South is filled with fine teams. San Alejo has won two pennants in a row and has won more games (198) than any team in the last two seasons. Turon (84-70) is the defending Pro Cup champions with a sweep of Valmara of the Ruthlandian Union last year. They finished second to San Alejo (96-58), but got hot in the postseason and won it all. Cape Coral, Colchester and Summerland are strong opposition, too. Manager Huroko Uchiyama's Ninjas have the pitching to compete with them, but fall short in the hitting department, ranking dead last in homers with only 84 for the year. By contrast, the SA Montaneros slammed 161 roundtrippers. The baseball analysts cite this as a critical shortcoming for Ginza and until this is addressed the Ninjas will be a middle of the pack team, struggling to squeeze into the playoffs. Going into the 2004 season, Uchiyama has improved his pitching and defense, but still lacks home run power. Ginza could be passed by better-hitting Colchester and Summerland. Uchiyama has four solid starters and a standout closer, but plans to give his 33-year-old rookie righthander Toshi Takeda some spot starts and will use him primarily in long relief. The Ninja skipper has re-signed several players from the successful 2001 team that made the IPA finals, telling the press that "they play good defense, are experienced and fundamentally sound". Most of them will be back-up players, except RF Takashi Fujimoto, who will platoon in the outfield. Uchiyama said, "Fujimoto is one of my favorite players. He is a winner. That's why I brought him back." Top Pitchers: Carl Trebek (20-14 3.07), Alex Sasek (12-4 2.66), Kojiro Matsumoto (16-15 3.68), Kazuhiro Nakayama (17-16 3.56) and closer Ray Funkhouser (6-6 2.61) with 16 saves in 46 games. Top Batters: 1B Kenshin Yamamoto (.316 BA, 17 HR/68 RBI), 2B Ken Mack (.329 BA/6 HR/64 RBI) and SS Dave Torregrossa (.309 BA/10 HR/64 RBI) Last edited by Eugene Church; 06-16-2009 at 04:04 PM.