Thursday, July 1, 2083
PRESEASON PICKS SLUMP AND SLUMBER SO FAR AT MIDSEASON
Thus far in the Islandian Pro Alliance only one of the top selections to garner the pennant had done well and done the job at midyear The rest are slumping and snoozing
the season away at the midseason point. Only the Hartsdale Hellcats took their role seriously. They have a good lead in the Tycobbian North. Rolling Hills is the only other
favorite to do well.The Racers have been clinging close to the Bayview Vikings in the Tycobbian West chase. The Viks are presently up by 2 and a half games. The rest of the
preseason choices are floundering at midyear.
Here we go to see what's happening around the IPA in 2083.
Ruthlandian Union
6-TEAMS IN THE RUNNING IN RU NORTH
The LaGrange Gators were favored to haul in their 3rd RU North flag in a row in fairly easy fashion, but so far they have struggled, 7 games out of the lead, tied for 5th place
with Far Mountain. Last year's cellar-dweller Ancona is riding skyhigh in the standings, but not by much at midyear. Kilkenny is second, just one game off the pace. Ranford and
Taranto are taggling along just 2 and a half out, then comes LaGrange and Far Mountain. But wait! Don't panic! The Gators will play better in the second half and probably get their
act together. They have been bad so far with a losing record. Expect LaGrange to improve.
SUNBIRDS SOARING IN RU SOUTH
Only two clubs were supposed to have a chance in the Ruthlandian South this season. The scribes were tired of picking Crystal Lake every year. The Skippers had sailed high,
winning the division crown four times in succession. Nope. Not gonna happen in 2083. It was forecast as just a two-team affair between favored Valka and runner-up Belair Beach.
Well, the baseball scribblers are proving right. It is a battle between just two clubs so far with the Sunbirds 4 and a half games ahead of the Blackhawks. The Skippers have faded to
third place, 9 and a half games behind. Crystal Lake better turn it around soon or it will be too late. Belair Beach is doing it all right right now and is looking good.
EXCITING 4-TEAM FREE-FOR-ALL IN RU EAST
The Elnora Clippers captured the Ruthlandian East last year and 3 of the 6 past seasons. According to the baseball writers the Wynnamac Sundowers would easily dominate the
division this year. Not so, so far. Currently it's a wide-open hunt between a bunch of teams. Up-and-improving Marston is on top of the standings at the halfway part with a 2-game
edge on Elnora, 3 better than Eastshore and 4 and a half games in front of preseason favorite Wynnamac. Looks like it will be pennant race after all - all the way, all season long -
and there ain't nothing better than that. Marston and Eastshore shouldn't be there. Most people are sticking with the favored Macs and defending champ Elnora. They have the talent
to last down-the-stretch.
TOPSY-TURVY IN RU WEST; UP IS DOWN, DOWN IS UP
The Ruthlandian West is turned upside down this season. The weak sisters are leading the midyear parade, while the strong dudes are dismal. Last year's champion Forest City is
way back in 5th place. Regular contender Fort Benton even worse in 6th place. Preseason choice Sligo is blundering and lumbering in the 4th spot. Could first place Volusia and
runner-up Middlefield be for real? They were near the bottom last season and picked to stay there this year, too. Third place Colfax didn't do that great last year - just a .500 team
at best - but the pundits did say the Black Sox would do quite well this season. What's it's gonna be? Well, in my opinion, the real mccoys just might have waited too long to make
their move. Yeah, buddy, I'm picking the Vigilantes and the Roosters. They just might rule the roost in the RU West this season.
2083 Ruthlandian Union Midseason Standings
