Tuesday, July 2, 2085
IPA FRENETIC FANS IN A FRENZY, LOTS OF TEAMS IN THE PENNANT HUNT AT MIDYEAR
Yep, lots of the perennials are still doing well in the Islandian Pro Alliance standings midway in the season this year, but there are quite a few of the longstanding also-rans also playing some surprisingly good baseball with an outside chance of taking the division flag and the playoff spot that goes with it. The last three Pro Cup champions have come out of nowhere and won the famed prize. Kenwood in 2082, East Point in 2083 and Belair Beach last year. None of the regular powers-that-be have won it in recent years. Who will be this year's Prince Charming?
6 of the preseason favorites are on top the standings at midseason. Things are not going well for 2 of the pundits' choices. Taranto, defending Pro Cup champion Belair Beach, Eastshore and unsung Forest City are on top of their divisions in the Ruthlandian Union. Favored Rocky Rapids has flopped miserably so far. Turon, Hartsdale, unheralded High Mesa and Rolling Hills are riding high in the Tycobbian Union. Preseason choice South Fork is not doing so well.
Typical also-rans in the Ruthlandian Union Valmara, Far Mountain, Ranford, Waleska, Claxton, Grand City, Marston, Forest City and Stoner are in contention. The habitually struggling teams that are challenging this season in the Tycobbian Union are Fairfax, Blue Lake, Arroyo Grande, San Alejo, High Mesa, Hillsboro, Chicopee, La Claire and Bay St. Clair. The teams that soar in the second half will come home with a postseason playoff spot and a chance to win the coveted Pro Cup.
Let's take a quick spin around the IPA and take a glance at what has happened so far in the first half of the season.
2085 RUTHLANDIAN UNION MIDSEASON RECAP
TARS BEING TESTED BY 5 TEAMS IN RU NORTH
In the Ruthlandian North it's wide open for any one of 6 teams to win it. Favored Taranto is playing well, but is being pressured by Ancona. They are currently tied for first place. Breathing down their backs are 4 other challengers, third place LaGrange, the division winner in 2 of the last 3 seasons, fourth place Valmara, fifth place Far Mountain and sixth place Ranford. The fans are going crazy in the RU North. Only 3 games separate the teams. Taranto hasn't won the division flag since 2074, appearing only 10 times in the postseason with only one Pro Cup to show for it. That was long ago in 2015. It would nice if Ranford made it. The Bulls have won 10 pennants and one Pro Cup. That was in 2040. However, Ranford last won the RU North flag in 2080. Valmara has been very successful in the IPA with 31 postseason appearances and 4 Pro Cups, but not much recently. The last pennant came for the Vipers in 2079, the last Pro Cup in 2050. Far Mountain hasn't done well in recent decades. Overall they have won the division 18 times with 3 Pro Cups. The last pennant was in 2083. The Redhawks won their Pro Cups in great fashion, winning an unprecedented 3 in a row in 2011, 2012 and 2013. This was possibly the best team in IPA history. They also lost a 7-game series in 2009 in the Pro Cup Finals. Far Mountain was up 3-0 and lost to Turon four games to three. That's the only time it ever happened in the Pro Cup Series.
SUNBIRDS STILL FLYING HIGH IN CLOSE RACE IN RU SOUTH
Belair Beach is dead serious about winning the Ruthlandian South for the third straight year. The Sunbirds also have their sights set on two Pro Cups in a row. So far, so good. However, the Sunbirds first have to dispose of its three main contenders, all within four games of the cherished top spot. Waleska, Claxton and Grand City are right on their tails and clinging close. Belair Beach has appeared 12 times in the playoffs and has captured 2 Pro Cups (2071 and 2084). The sentimental choice would be the Grand City Cybercats, who have won only 4 pennants and have never won a Pro Cup and never come close. The last time they made the postseason was in 2055.
COTTON KINGS STANDING TALL IN RU EAST
As expected, preseason favored Eastshore is doing well in the RU East, but so are three other rivals. Marston is just one game behind in second place, Cold Creek trails by 3 and a half games in third and last year's champ Belle Plaine is in the fourth spot in the standings and 5 and a half games out. Even perennial power Wynnamac is still within striking distance. The Macs have had only one losing season in the last four decades.
Eastshore is seeking its third Pro Cup. As the Elegants, one of the best teams ever in the IPA, they won back-to-back Pro Cups in 2016 and 2017. Eastshore has copped 10 division titles with the last ones coming in 2073 and 2074.
FIREBIRDS RED-HOT IN RU WEST RED-HOT RACE
The Forest City Firebirds are back again burning up the Ruthlandian West race. They won the title three years ago, but have floundered ever since. Overall the Firebirds have only made the playoffs on 7 occasions with one Pro Cup in 2068. The baseball experts picked them last this year. But right now they are deadlocked atop the RU West with Colfax. Three other challengers are close behind. Last year's division champ Fort Benton is in third place, 3 and a half games off the pace. Volusia and Stoner are tied for fourth, 4 GB. Preseason pick Rocky Rapids is nowhere in sight, lumbering along in 7th place, 14 GB. If you are like me, I like to pull for the underdog. This year it would be the Stoner Stars with only 6 pennants and no Pro Cups. Or maybe the Fort Benton Cannons with 7 division flags and no Pro Cup Trophies. I think I could pull for the Firebirds, too. Only one club in the RU West has done well in the playoffs. The Middlefield Roosters have won 3 Pro Cups in its 20 postseason appearances, but not lately. The Roosters last flag and last Pro Cup came in 2056.
