Thursday, July 1, 2060
IPA HITS MIDSEASON MARK
There is a whole bunch of good old-fashioned pennant races going at the midseason mark in the Islandian Pro Alliance... seven of the eight divisions are still very much in doubt... the only exception is the Ruthlandian East race where Wynnamac is seven games ahead and is looking very much like the pennant winner.
BULLS HANGING TOUGH IN RU NORTH
A quick survey of the races around the IPA still shows unheralded Ranford still ahead in the Ruthlandian North... the Bulls are showing staying power... they had a good June with a 16-10 mark... but the Glasco Foxhounds are snapping at their heels after a spectacular 19-7 month... the Bulls are just two games up... Far Mountain tanked it last month with a terrible 11-15 record to drop 8 games off the pace... the LaGrange Gators are running in the fourth spot after posting a 15-11 in June... preseason favorite Valmara has tumbled into oblivion... the Vipers are in last place, 20 games behind.
3-TEAM FIGHT IN RU SOUTH
The Ruthlandian South may be settling down a bit into a three-team fight between the current leader, Grand City, last year's champ and preseason pick, St. John, and the Waleska Westerners... the upstart Valka Blackhawks have dropped back to sixth place after sticking close to the top in the first two months of play... the bottom fell out as the Blackhawks slumped badly to 8-18 last month... both Grand City and St. John prospered in June with 16-10 records... Waleska was not quite as good and lost ground at 14-12... the Cybercats have a one-game edge over the Crusaders and are three better than the Westerners.
MACS SHINE BRIGHT IN RU EAST
After two excellent months number one Wynnamac cooled down a little in June to just 14-12 in the Ruthlandian East, but the Sundowners are still seven games in front... all of the division challengers did about the same... the runner-up Elnora Clippers were also 14-12... third place Marston was even at 13-13... and fourth place Cold Creek suffered with a 12-14 mark.
5 CHALLENGERS IN RU WEST
The Ruthlandian West Division has tightened up the last month... five clubs are within four games of each other... the Volusia Vigilantes climbed ahead of the Rocky Rapids Snappers, but not by much... the V's had a solid 17-9 month in June and jumped into first place... the Snappers dipped to 12-14 and are tied with preseason choice Sligo for second place... the Rovers were very disappointing in April (9-16), but have gotten back on track in May (17-11) and June (17-9)... Fort Benton is on the rise after playing poorly in the first month (9-16)... since then the Defenders are 15-13 and 16-10... they are now deadlocked in fourth place with the Stoner Silver Sox, four games behind... after a solid 15-10 in April, Stoner has slumped to 13-15 and 12-14 the last two months.
5 CONTENDERS IN TIGHT TU NORTH
Nobody has much of a lead in the Tycobbian Union... last year's flag winner and this year's favorite, Oxford, got it going in June with a 17-9 record, but they are being pressed closely by Luxora (15-11) and Mahaska (13-13), both just one game back of the Red Caps... White River (15-11) is just two games out... and Blue Lake (13-13) is only three games behind... ranked as a major player this season, the Fairfax Frogs have pretty much croaked... ranked the second best team in the preseason poll, the Frogs are struggling in the sixth spot and trail by eight games... but they are showing some signs of life with a good 15-11 month in June.
NINJAS NAB SOME ROOM IN TU SOUTH
Last year's Pro Cup titlist, Ginza, is playing very well so far in the Tycobbian South race... the Ninjas created some space in the race with a 16-10 mark in June... they are four games better than second place Turon... the Typhoons did alright last month at 14-12... third place Southport is right with them and five games back of Ginza after notching 15-11 for the month... after a fine opening month in April (16-9), the fourth place Arroyo Grande Suns have drifted down slowly... in June they were only 11-15 and now have fallen to eight games out in the pennant race.
TUCKS TOPS IN TU EAST
The Tuckanarra Tiger Cats are favored to win the Tycobbian East and thus far, they have done well with winning records all three months, including 16-10 last month... they have passed early leader South Fork by three games... the Stallions have stumbled since a terrific 18-7 start in April... they were only 12-14 in June... only one other club putting up a fight... the Ozarka Naturals are in third place, 7 games off the pace... the Nats were 13-13 last month.
BUCS, RACERS, REDBIRDS, BEST IN TU WEST
June was a great month for somebody to take command of the Tycobbian West, but nobody could do it... first place Bay St. Clair went 12-14... Rolling Hills 13-13... Denton City 13-13... and poor Bayview could only muster 9-17... the Buccaneers still hold on to the top spot with a two-game edge over the Racers, the second choice in the preseason poll... the Bucs were picked to finish fifth this year... last year's title winner was the Redbirds... they were rated third best this season... Denton City is six games behind in the third spot in the standings... the Bayview Vikings are fourth in the TU West and are seven games out... preseason pick Kenwood has languished so far and is tied for fifth place, eight games back, but the Wildcats are showing some signs of life, going 16-10 in June.
Ruthlandian Union Standings
Thursday, July 1, 2060