Wednesday, March 30, 2072
ISLANDS KICK OFF THE 72ND IPA SEASON THIS FRIDAY
Once again those gorgeous words "play ball" will be resonating all across the Islands... baseball is bustin' out all over as the 72nd season of the Islandian Pro Alliance and 64 teams gets started on Friday afternoon on a journey that they hope ends up with the Holy Grail of IPA baseball - the treasured Pro Cup Trophy... the current titleholder is the Belair Beach Sunbirds of the Ruthlandian Union... they reigned supreme last season, triumphing over the Turon Typhoons of the Tycobbian Union in a torrid 5-game series.
Primed, poised and ready to give the Sunbirds a run for the money for the IPA crown are the Valmara Vipers, Valka Blackhawks, Volusia Vigilantes, Turon Typhoons, Tuckanarra Tiger Cats, White River Rascals, Red Bluff Red Sox and Chicopee Braves... all of these challengers have been given the blessings of the sportswriters and broadcasters in the annual
Islandian Times Preseason Pro Cup Poll... the Typhoons, Vipers, Blackhawks and Rascals are forecast to be the biggest obstacles to keep Belair Beach from repeating as IPA champion.
Islandian Times Preseason Pro Cup Poll
1. TURON TYPHOONS
2. Belair Beach Sunbirds
3. White River Rascals
4. Valka Blackhawks
5. Valmara Vipers
6. Tuckanarra Tiger Cats
7. Red Bluff Red Sox
8. Chicopee Braves
Around the IPA
VIPERS TOP TEAM IN RU NORTH
Valmara is a strong pick to nab its 3rd straight Ruthlandian North Division crown and go deep into the IPA postseason playoffs... the Vipers possess one of the better offenses in the Islands and a pretty good pitching staff... only the Ranford Bulls are touted to give Valmara any kind of fight for the pennant... the Vipers ran away with the RU North last year, topping runner-up Taranto by 12 games.
IN RU SOUTH RACE SUNBIRDS HAVE THEIR HANDS FULL WITH BLACKHAWKS AND WESTERNERS
Belair Beach copped the RU South flag last year in fairly easy fashion... they whipped the Valka Blackhawks by 8 games... the Blackhawks are back again and better than ever according to the prognosticators... the Waleska Westerners could be troublesome, too... all three clubs can score runs, but only have decent pitching.
BIG 6-TEAM TUSSLE IN RU EAST
It looks likes almost all of the clubs in the Ruthlandian East Division could be in the battle for the pennant... Marston is favored, but not by much over Eastshore, Beechwood, Sugar Valley, Elnora and last year's champ, the Wynnamac Sundowners... no matter who prevails, none of them have impressed the baseball pundits... the RU East champion is not likely to go deep into the playoffs.
V'S AGAIN BEST IN THE RU WEST
The Volusia Vigilantes are favored to capture the Ruthlandian West for the 3rd year in a row, but it will be another tight race with the Forest City Firebirds, Middlefield Roosters and Rocky Rapids Snappers... the Firebirds' mound corps should keep them close to the top... the Vigilantes are the best offense in the RU West.
RASCALS TOO STRONG ON HILL... SHOULD WIN 3RD STRAIGHT TU NORTH
White River should take the 3-team race in the Tycobbian North Division... the Rascals have solid pitching and good home-run power... they should be able to hold off the Mahaska Haymakers and Luxora Zorros.
TYPHOONS TO TAKE 3RD TU SOUTH IN A ROW
Turon trampled everyone last year, leaving everybody in the dust... they defeated the surprising second-place Ginza Ninjas by a comfortable 9 games... it was the Typhoons' third Tycobbian South flag in a row... Turon has one of the best-hitting club in the IPA and also has a solid pitching corps... no team is expected to rival the Typhoons again this season... they should win the pennant by double digits... San Alejo and Ginza will again finish far behind Turon.
3 TO TANGO IN TIGHT TU EAST
Red Bluff is usually right near the top of the Tycobbian East standings... they have been the pennant winner in 3 of the past 6 seasons... the Red Sox are the choice to beat out last year's winner Tuckanarra and perennial contender South Fork in a tight squeeze.
COULD BE THE YEAR FOR CHICOPEE IN TU WEST
One of the most downtrodden franchises in the Islandian Pro Alliance has finally gotten some respect in the Tycobbian West... the Chicopee Braves could make shambles of the division race this year and just might make some waves in the postseason... the Braves have some capables hurlers and a pretty good offense... they are predicted to put an end to Rolling Hills' amazing 12-year domination of the TU West... the Racers and the La Claire Lynx will be distant challengers in the pennant chase... Chicopee is favored to win the race by 10 or more games... the Braves have not been to the Pro Cup playoffs since 2036.
