[Eugene Church]

2088 Ruthlandian West Season Review

FIREBIRDS TOTALLY TORCH RU WEST
The Forest City Firebirds were hands down the best in the west this year. They took charge in June by 6 games and proceeded to totally dominate the Ruthlandian West the rest of the season. Nobody came close to them. Second place Colfax was a startling 17 games behind, third place Rocky Rapids was a stunning 24 game off the pace and fourth place Volusia was a very distant 30 games behind in the Firebirds' rear view mirror. Rocky Rapids was the winner last season and went to the Pro Cup Finals. Forest City had the best scoring machine, best pitching corps and the top defense in the division. No one else could match them overall. Colfax and Rocky Rapids had the edge in only one category. That was in home-run power. The Snappers sent 211 soaring out of the park and the Black Sox slammed 199 homers. But even in this category, the Firebirds were no slouches. They hammered 164 roundtrippers. That's why Forest City topped the IPA with 105 victories this year. They were tied with La Grange of the RU North for the most wins. La Claire of the TU West finished third in the IPA with 101 triumphs. Naturally, all three clubs are forecast to be potent forces in the playoffs this season. The Firebirds will be trying to chalk up their 2nd Pro Cup. They won their only one way back in 2068.