ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Friday, September 20, 2013

Tycobbian Union 2013 Elite 8 Series

Frogs Top Typhoons 4-3 In 10 Innings
The Fairfax Frogs overcame a 3-0 deficit in a comeback 4-3 victory in 10 innings over the Turon Typhoons at the Frog Pond. That gave Harry Buckley's Frogs a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Elite 8 Series. Typhoon starter James Stuart (18-13) had a 3-0 lead and a 2-hit shutout after 5 innings, but it didn't last. Fairfax got back in the game with a 2-run sixth and tied the score at 3-3 in the last of the eighth, then won it in the 10th on LF Tony Kraus' walk-off single. The Frogs got a good start from Steve Aaron (12-12), who gave up 3 runs on 7 hits in 7 innings. Relievers Floyd Burnett and Dan Hunt took over and held Turon scoreless the rest of the game. Hunt (1-1) got credit for the victory with two scoreless frames. The loss went to closer Merle Studebacker (0-2), who lost for the second time in the series. The Frogs easily outhit the Typhoons 13-8, but stranded 13 baserunners. 3B Robby Franklin (.417) led them with 3 hits, while CF Phil Nelson (.300) had 2 hits and 2 RBIs. LF Andy Porter (.375) had a 2-run homer for Turon.

Tuckanarra Up 2-1 In Series, Blue Jays Best Redbirds 3-2
For the second day in a row Yoshi Motsuzuki played the hero in Tuckanarra's 3-2 decision over the Denton City Redbirds at Douglas Denton Field to give the Blue Jays a one-game edge in the best-of-seven affair. Yesterday Motsuzuki accounted for all the runs in the game with a 2-run home run shot. Today he drove in the eventual-winning run with a two-out seventh-inning single. 1B Erik Vayda began the rally with a one-out double and moved to third on a ground-out. Roy Spence (1-0) tossed a fine game for the win, permitting only 2 runs and 8 hits in his 8 innings. Spence fanned 5 and walked 2. Tuckanarra's bullpen ace Stephen Eubarinja closed it out for Spence with a scoreless ninth. Losing pitcher Dave Blair hurled a solid game, went all the way in defeat, allowed 3 runs and 9 hits, walking four and striking out 5. The Blue Jays got 9 hits to 5 for the Redbirds and were led by RF Danny Redd (.308) and LF Dan Hill (.222), who had 2 hits each and a RBI. CF Danny Nash (.300) homered and drove in a run for Denton City.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Friday, September 20, 2013

Around the Town In The IPA

FAIRFAX FROGS
Owner: Frog Fashions
GM/Manager: Harry Buckley

Fairfax is a dynamic town of 107,000 on the northshore of beautiful Blue Lake in Central Tycobbia and at the mouth of the Rio Lobo. It is an important river and railway distribution hub for timber and wood products from North Hills and Hartsdale to the north and agricultural products from Mahaska to the west, which is brought by rail and the Appian River. Timber and manufactured goods from Luxora are shipped on the Rio Lobo.

Because of its proximity to the lake, it a tourist haven with hotels lining the peaceful blue waters, which provide sailing , swimming, skiing, fishing and other boating activities and a thriving recreational shipbuilding industry.

Fairfax is also the home of the popular and quite prosperous Frog Fashions, makers of fine men and women's fashions, including bathing suits and swimwear. The Frog logo is featured on all of the company's wearing apparel and is known throughout the Islands.

Frog Fashions is also the owner of the Fairfax Frogs, who play in the Islandian Pro Alliance. The ballclub is a member of the Tycobbian Union's West Division. Fairfax plays its games at the Frog Pond, one of the newest stadiums in the IPA. It is a beautiful, state-of-the-art stadium with a panoramic view of the downtown area over the outfield walls and was built just in time for the 2001 inaugural season.

It is a tradition from industrial and company league days for the Frog fanatics to cheer and urge their team on to victory with this rally chant, led by the team mascot, Jeremiah the Bullfrog:

"Who let the Frogs out?..ribbit...ribbit...ribbit...ribbit.
Who let the Frogs out?..ribbit...ribbit...ribbit...ribbit.
Who let the Frogs out?..ribbit...ribbit...ribbit...ribbit."

Jeremiah the Bullfrog, also leads the fans in singing "Take Me Out to the Frog Pond" during the seventh inning stretch. A Fairfax victory is always celebrated with a rousing chorus of "Joy to the World" when the last out of the game is made.

At the concession booths, the fans can savor ballpark regulars like hot dogs, hamburgers, beer, soft drinks, peanuts and crackerjacks. In addition, refreshing daiquiries of all flavors and concoctions are available.

Harry Buckley is the GM and Manager of the Fairfax Frogs. He is a former company league second baseman and manager. Buckley was a fine hitter and fielder and also stood out as a manager.

The Frog Pond (2001)
Capacity: 11,700
Dimensions:
LF Line 340
LF 375
LCF 400
CF 422
RCF 400
RF 375
RF Line 340

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Ruthlandian Union 2013 Elite 8 Series

FM Redhawks On A Tear, Sweep St. John In RU Elite 8
The St. John Crusaders never saw what hit them as they were steamrolled by the mighty Far Mountain Redhawks in four games. The defending Pro Cup champion swept the RU Elite 8 Series, winning 5-4 in today's deciding game in St. John. It was no easy task as the Crusaders started off like a ball-of-fire with a 3-run first and they still had a 4-3 lead as late as the seventh inning. The Redhawks constantly threatened with 15 hits, but left 16 on the bases. Finally, in the eighth, they broke through with two runs to take the game and the series. Clean-up hitter 3B Duane Parsons came through with a crucial bases-loaded two-run single to eliminate the Crusaders. Parsons (.571) paced Far Mountain with a 3-4 game, while 3B Vinny Sardisco (.267) had a two-run double and 2B Tony Borcellino a homer for the Crusaders, all in the first frame. Starter Woody Crawford (1-0) staggered in with the win, going 7 shaky innings, giving up 8 hits, 4 runs and walking 6. Three relievers rescued him. Wayne Baxley, Erich Dumont and Jesse Hughes got the final 6 outs with the save going to Hughes. St. John starter Ken Wheeler (0-2) took the loss as he was pelted for 14 hits and 5 runs in 8 innings.

St. John manager Dickie Billings told reporters after the game, "I thought I had some darn good hitters, but we couldn't compete with the Redhawks line-up. They had double-digit hits in every game. I pity anybody that has to face them the way they are playing right now. It could be a three-peat for Far Mountain." The Redhawks will now advance to the Ruthlandian Union Final 4 and will await the winner of the Wynnamac-Forest City series.

Meeks Mows Down 'Jacks 5-2, Wynnamac Up 3-1 In Elite 8
22-game winner Jerry Meeks got a rude awakening in game one of the RU Elite 8 Series. Forest City bashed him for 10 hits in the 5-1 triumph. But he got sweet revenge in game four with a 5-2 win, putting the Wynnamac Sundowners in a strong position to win the Elite 8 Series. Meeks (1-1 3.18) allowed 9 hits, but always got out of serious trouble before too much damage occurred. Dan Stevens got his second series save with a runless ninth to preserve Meeks' victory. Meeks (.333) also helped his own cause with an RBI single in the second frame and a 2-run single in the third. The Sundowners got the other two runs on a second-inning double by SS Vic Vinson (.500). They built up a 5-0 lead after 4 at bats and that was enough for victory. Forest City starter Al Thibaut (1-1 3.86), the first-game winner, couldn't hold off Wynnamac this time around. He left after 5 innings behind 5-2. Thibaut was touched for 5 runs and 9 hits. The Sundowners collected 10 hits in all, sparked by Meeks with a pair of hits and 3 RBIs and Vinson with 2 hits and 2 RBIs.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Around the Town in the IPA

WYNNAMAC SUNDOWNERS
Owner: Granger Co-Operative Association
GM/Manager: Matt Donnelly

Wynnamac is a town of 86,000 residents and can be found about 50 miles inland from the Valerian Ocean, which is the eastern border of Ruthlandia. It is located in the northeastern part of the country in the Central Plains, which spans east to west across it and is a well-known farming region, filled with seemingly endless fields of ripe golden wheat and rustic farms. It is the "Breadbasket of Ruthlandia". Settled by a diverse band of hearty and hardworking Canadian and Australian immigrants, who worked "sunup to sundown". They became known as "Sundowners" because of their great work ethic and love for the land...and for their love of baseball and the homestanding Wynnamac Sundowners. The area is also a center for meat packing and dairy industries.

Life hasn't changed much here for a hundred years and probably won't change much in the next hundred years. Wynnamac is a member of the IPA's Ruthlandian East Division. The club plays at Granger Field, which is built right next to a grain processing plant with huge silos and a water tower with a gigantic ear of corn on it...all visible from the ballpark. The Sundowners are owned by the Granger Co-operative Association, farmers banded together for the common good.

At the concession stands you get nothing fancy...just soda pop, hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, peanuts, crackerjacks and ice cream. No beer or alcoholic beverages are permitted at the stadium. It is against the law in Wynnamac county and strictly enforced.

Wynnamac's General Manager and Field Manager is Matt Donnelly, who loves the game of baseball like no other. And he played the game very well, too. He was an outstanding hitter and first baseman for quite a few seasons in the local company leagues, playing until he was almost 50.

Granger Field (1967)
Capacity: 7,965
Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 355
Left Field - 375
Left Center - 415
Center Field - 404
Right Center - 375
Right Field - 350
Right Field Line - 325

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Tycobbian Union 2013 Elite 8 Series

Fairfax Gains Big Edge In Elite 8, Nips Turon 3-1 Behind Hill
Two of the best pitchers in the IPA were going head-to-head in game four of the TU Elite 8 Series between the Turon Typhoons and the Fairfax Frogs. Together they won 50 games during the regular season - the Typhoons Nicky Engstrom was 25-6 and the Frogs Ken Hill was 25-13. In game one they battled to a 1-1 draw and now were facing each again. It was another classic duel with Fairfax and Hill reigning supreme with a 3-1 victory over Turon and Engstrom, giving the Frogs a tremendous 3-1 edge in the series. One more win in the best-of-seven series and Fairfax will move on to play for the Tycobbian title in the Pro Cup Final 4.

Hill (1-0 1.06) held the Typhoons to 1 run and 7 hits over 8 innings. Closer Floyd Burnett got the save with a perfect ninth inning when he fanned 2 of the 3 batters he faced. Engstrom (0-1 2.25) was good, but not quite good enough. Engstrom pitched well in defeat, going the distance and giving up only 3 runs and 5 hits with 7 Ks and 3 bases on balls. SS Wes Hickox (.250) gave the Frogs an early lead with a first-inning RBI triple. Hill (.500) provided the other two scores with a 2-run two-bagger in the fourth. 1B Clyde Kingsford (.294) singled in the Typhoon only run in the sixth.

No Contest, Tuckanarra Blasts Denton City 12-3
It was no contest from the git-go in game four of the TU Elite 8 Series in Denton City. The visiting Tuckanarra Blue Jays blasted the hometown Redbirds 12-3 to run up a big three-games-to-one lead, needing only one more win to advance in the IPA Pro Cup playoffs. The Blue Jays jumped on Mila Mohoski (1-1 2.61) for 9 runs in the first two frames and never looked back. Only 2 of the runs off Mohoski were earned as the Redbirds committed 5 errors in the game. Titus Bristow (1-1 6.75) redeemed himself for the 7-1 loss in game one to Mohoski by cruising to this easy victory. Bristow gave up 10 hits, but only 3 runs in a complete-game performance. Tuckanarra racked up 12 hits with Bristow himself (.500) getting two of them and driving in 3 runs. RF Danny Redd (.375) and 3B Rocky Fuqua (.154) added 2 RBIs each. Denton City 1B Mick Abbott (.286) had the game's only four-bagger.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Around the Town in the IPA

DENTON CITY REDBIRDS
Owner : The Denton Family Foundation
GM/Manager: Ford Whiteman

Denton City is a town of 64,000 located in South Tycobbia midway between Chicopee on the west coast and South Fork in the east near the slopes of the Silver Mountains.

Denton City was founded by Douglas Denton, for whom the town is named. Douglas Denton was born in 1832 in Montrose, Scotland. As a young man Denton had heard of a new country called Tycobbia and the stories he had heard made him eager to seek adventure, fame and fortune there.

He arrived in 1851 by ship across the Kelynck Ocean, landing in the Bay of St. Clair. From there he headed south towards what he had been told was mostly virgin territory. He had travelled about 4 days when he reached his land of paradise. Denton described in his journal this way: “It was like I had found heaven upon earth, the grass was as green as it was back home in Montrose and the air I had never smelled anything like it - it was so pure and sweet."

Denton built a small log cabin for shelter and began life in his new country as a trapper. He did quite well and prospered over the next few years. Saving the money he got from selling furs in Bay St. Clair, Denton began to buy up land grants around his log cabin. So began the small origins of Denton City.

Denton expanded his business into real estate, renting and selling to trappers and their families. At this point he decided to start the Montrose Trading Company, named after his birthplace in Scotland. The area soon became known as Scotsman’s Fields.

Shortly before his 38th birthday, Denton sold the rights to mining to the McMillan Company. Because of the mining boom, the town grew rapidly with an influx of mining families from all over Tycobbia, Scotland, Ireland and England. Douglas Denton had finally made it. He was now a wealthy man.

Two years later in 1862 Denton met and married his wife Sarah and soon expanded the family with two sons, Greer and Murdock. By now Scotsman's Fields had McMillan Mining and Steel, but also a railway line to link the town with Bay St. Clair to ship out the steel and iron ore.

In 1872 on Denton’s 50th birthday Scotsman's Fields was officially named Denton City in his honor. Denton died in 1890 at the age of 68. He had dedicated his life and his fortune to Denton City. He had built a hospital, library, concert hall and the first ballpark in town.

Just like any other small town in Tycobbia at the time, it had started to follow the new sport of Base Ball. The first team of Denton were called the Denton Miners due to the fact that the team were fielded by the miners. Many teams would come and go, teams like the Denton 9, The Denton Mutuals, Ball Club of Denton and lastly the Denton City Redbirds. One person who was always there to watch was Douglas Denton who loved the game of Base Ball. Eventually he sponsored and managed a team in the town league. He named the team the Ball Club of Denton.

The Denton City Redbirds name came about because of Sarah Denton. She would spend hours sitting in the fields with her paints and canvas, painting the beautiful scenery around Denton. She also had a passion for painting birds. One of her beautiful paintings of a cardinal was on her husband's office wall. One day a meeting was being held in his office to decide on a nickname for the Ball Club of Denton. Many names had been discussed, when all of a sudden Huck McKinney, who was captain of the club, looked up at Mrs. Denton’s painting and said “that redbird would sure look pretty on a baseball jersey”.

It wasn’t long before Douglas Denton had a wooden stadium built for the town league. The first stadium was constructed in 1880 and just called the Base Ball Field. But it soon burned down and was had to be rebuilt. This time it had covered bleachers, was built of steel and seated 500 people. Denton named the new stadium McBride Park in honor of Jack McBride, who lost his life in trying to put the fire out at the old ballpark.

It wasn’t long before baseball spread across Tycobbia and The civic pride in each town raised the competition level. In Denton City they began to combine the local teams into a town team. So the Denton Miners joined up with the Denton 9 to become the Denton Red Stockings and The Mutuals and the Ball Club of Denton became the Denton City Redbirds. Eventually all the teams combined as the Denton City Redbirds.

McBride Stadium was expanded several times over the years and finally was replaced in 1971 by a new state-of-the-art facility, funded by McMillan Steel. This time it was named Douglas Denton Stadium in honor of the town's founder and biggest baseball fan.

A day at Douglas Denton Stadium is just good old-fashioned baseball with peanuts, crackerjacks, cokes and hot dogs. And good old-fashioned baseball. The Redbirds GM and manager is Ford Whiteman, one of the best lefties in the industrial leagues. He was prominent in Denton City history for winning so many postseason games.

Douglas Denton Field (1971)
Capacity: 9,250
Dimensions:

LF Line 335
LF 355
LCF 375
CF 395
RCF 375
RF 355
RF Line 335

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Ruthlandian Union 2013 Elite 8 Series

Wynnamac Eliminates Forest City, Meets FM Redhawks In RU Final 4
Great pitching carried the Wynnamac Sundowners past the Forest City Lumberjacks and into the Ruthlandian Union Final 4 against powerful Far Mountain. The Sundowners eliminated the Lumberjacks 5-1 in game 5 of the Elite 8 Series. Young Lenny Ward fired a 3-hitter in the deciding game at Riverside Stadium in Forest City. Ward (2-0 1.06) struck out 5 and walked 3 in a complete-game victory. It was his second win in the series. He also beat the 'Jacks 4-2 on Thursday. Losing pitcher Paul Crews (0-2 4.24) made a game of it until the 3-run eighth.

Wynnamac drew first blood in the top of the second on a 2-run single by 2B J. L. Lawrence (.231). Forest City cut the lead to 2-1 in the fifth when SS Josh Venturini (.221) got on base on an error, was advanced to second with a sac bunt, moved to third on Joe Callaway's single (.238) and scored on an RBI ground-out by Diego De Luna (.111). In the Sundowner eighth LF Big Hoss Burkhalter's (.211) RBI single and 1B Nate Cockroft's (.368) two-run double finished off the Lumberjacks. Crews went the distance, allowed 5 runs on 8 hits with 6 Ks and 2 walks.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Tycobbian Union 2013 Elite 8 Series

Turon Staves Off Elimination with 12-inning Win Over Fairfax
Turon got back in the Tycobbian Union Elite 8 Series at least for one more day. The favored Typhoons turned back Fairfax 3-1 at the Frog Pond in a tense 12-inning battle that was finally decided on a botched flyball by the sure-handed Gold Glover Dane Wesner. He dropped an easy pop fly in shallow right and allowed two runs to score. The underdog Frogs still have a 3-2 edge in the series and need just one win in two games to advance to the Pro Cup Final 4.

It looked for a while Turon was playing in vain. The Typhoons rapped out 12 hits to just 4 for the Frogs, but left 16 on base. Starter Jeb Pickett had allowed only 2 hits and had a 1-0 lead going into the last of the ninth, but was slammed for a game-tying homer by LF Tony Kraus (.136). Both starters did superbly. Pickett gave up only one run in 9 innings, fanned 5 and walked none. Frog starter Joe Hampton gave up 10 hits, but permitted only 1 run in his 9 frames. Reliever Merle Studebaker (1-2) got credit for the win with a scoreless tenth and eleventh. Jacques Lemaire picked up the save with a runless twelfth. Dan Hunt (1-2) was victimized by the two-run error and sustained the loss.

DC Redbirds Stay Alive, Knock Off Blue Jays 5-1 In Game 5
On the brink of elimination, the Denton City Redbirds rode the fine right arm of Jeff Russell to a 5-1 victory over Tuckanarra to remain alive in the TU Elite 8 Series. Despite the defeat the Blue Jays are still ahead 3-2 in the series. Russell (1-1 1.59) went all the way, gave up 8 hits, struck out 6 and walked 4 in a clutch outing. Both clubs notched 8 hits each. RF Lavon Gooch (.444) and SS Lou Pruitt (.333) sparked Denton City with homers. It was Gooch's second roundtripper in the playoffs. The Redbirds snapped a 1-1 tie in the fifth with 2 runs, going up 3-1. They added single runs in the sixth and eighth to solidify the victory. Losing pitcher Delaney Elliott (1-1 2.16) was tagged for 5 runs in 7-plus innings.

[Eugene Church]

Map of Islandia

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Around the Town in the IPA

TURON TYPHOONS
Owner: Anastas International Shipping
GM/Manager: Ashton “Whitey” Richburn

Turon is a seaport town of 118,000 in the Caledonia River basin on the southwestern coast of Tycobbia and its second largest population-wise. The Caledonia River terminates here after winding 500 miles from east to west from Red Bluff in the central Silver Mountains southward through Hillsboro and then flowing westward near the towns of South Fork, Denton City and Arlon. The river finally comes to an end in Turon and empties into the Kelnyck Ocean and Southern Sea.

It is a cosmopolitan town with a diversified economy and a mecca for tourists. Turon is a busy trade and distribution center with many shipping interests. Agriculture flourishes here with extensive farmlands in the Caledonia River basin. It is also a diversity of cultures and was settled in the 1840s and 1850s by French, Scottish, Irish and German settlers, who came to get away from religious intolerance and persecution. Southerners from the United States came in good numbers after the Civil War defeat. Turon became their New South, but minus the slave culture.

Turon is resplendent with beauty. Streets and boulevards lined with grand live oak trees and antebellum mansions. In the countryside are majestic plantations. Near the coast you'll find sugar-white sandy beaches. You'll find plenty of Old World in Turon, but also plenty of the Modern World, too.

The Turon Typhoons of the IPA's South Division in a very modern baseball palace, Typhoon Stadium. It is built with concrete and steel to withstand the occasional typhoon that emanates from the cold and icy waters of the Kelnyck Ocean. The old ballpark was completely destroyed twice in 1938 and 1967. The new stadium was completed in 1999 and houses the Tyrobbian Baseball Hall of Fame, a must-see for all Islandian baseball fans. It covers the entire spectrum and includes memorabilia from the amateur, college and industrial leagues.

The Typhoons really are active promoters with something going on each inning during the ballgames. All kinds of promotions, games and stunts to enliven and entertain the fans. Wild music tracks fill the stadium to rally the Typhoons and their fans. Concessions are stocked with all of the traditional ballpark delights.

Turon is owned by wealthy shipping tycoon, Onnie Anastas. His GM and Manager is Ashton “Whitey” Richburn, one of the finest defensive center fielders and lead-off men in Tycobbian baseball history.

Typhoon Stadium (1999)
Capacity: 8,010
Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 335
Left Field - 355
Left Center - 380
Center Field - 410
Right Center - 380
Right Field - 355
Right Field Line - 345

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, September 23, 2013

Tycobbian Union 2013 Elite 8 Series

Fairfax KO's Favored Turon 7-2, Heads For Final 4
The underdog Fairfax Frogs have done it! They have knocked out of the playoffs one of the Pro Cup favorites, the tough and talented Turon Typhoons. The Frogs did it in 6 games, winding it up with a 7-2 trouncing at Typhoon Stadium. After falling behind 2-0 in the early going, Fairfax methodically went to work and won going away. Steve Aaron (1-0 3.00) worked 8 solid innings and held Turon to 2 runs on 6 hits for the triumph. 2B Fran O'Brian (.292) led the Frog bats with 2 hits and 3 RBIs. O'Brian had 7 RBIs in the series. Fairfax racked up a dozen hits in all with 3 by C Cuz Irby (.385) and 2 apiece by SS Wes Hickox (.292) and CF Phil Nelson (.250). SS Matt Madison (.250) was Turon top hitter with 2 hits and 2 RBIs. James Stuart (0-1 4.02) was the losing hurler. He was hammered hard for 7 runs and 11 hits in 8+ innings.

Tuckanarra Edges DC Redbirds In 6, Now Meets Fairfax in Final 4
It wasn't easy, the Tuckanarra had to overcome a 3-0 deficit halfway through the game to finish off the valiant Denton City Redbirds. Game 6 went 11 innings when pinchhitter Tony Blundell (.500) singled in the winning run with the bases loaded. The Blue Jays won the TU Elite 8 Series 4 games to 2 and will now tangle with the Fairfax Frogs in the Final 4. Roy Spence and Stephen Eubarinja (1-0) combined in the extra-inning win. Spence went the first 9, surrendering 3 runs - 2 earned - on 6 hits with 5 strikeouts. Eubarinja closed it out two spotless innings. The Redbird starter Dave Blair was outstanding. He departed with a 3-2 lead after 8 strong innings, yielding only 4 hits and one earned run. Blair fanned 7 and issued 3 walks. However, Frankie Taylor blew the save and allowed Tuckanarra to tie it up in the bottom of the ninth on 3B Rocky Fuqua's double (.200) and pinchhitter George Rowe's RBI single. 1B Mick Abbott (.286) sparked Denton City with 3 RBIs. Tuckanarra outhit the Redbirds 9 to 6.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

RU And TU Final 4 Slated For Tomorrow
The IPA Pro Cup Final 4 Series will begin tomorrow afternoon in Far Mountain and Tuckanarra. In the Ruthlandian Final 4 the Wynnamac Sundowners will challenge the defending Pro Cup champion Far Mountain at Sky High Stadiun in the opener of the best-of-seven series, while Tuckanarra will host the Fairfax Frogs at Central Park Stadium. Both games will start at 1:05 pm in the afternoon. During the regular season Wynnamac took four of six games from the Redhawks and the Blue Jays thumped the Frogs four times out the six they played. Far Mountain has won 3 Pro Cups in its history, the last two years in a row. The Sundowners claimed one title in 2008, while the Frogs and the Blue Jays are still looking for their first Pro Cup trophy.

All four clubs are coming off strong wins and are primed to do battle. Far Mountain is the favorite over Wynnamac and Tucknarra is picked to take Fairfax. Both ballclubs feature good hitting with excellent pitching and are forecast to meet for the Island crown in the Pro Cup Finals. The Redhawks paced the Ruthlandian Union with 95 wins, while Tuckanarra piled up 100 victories in the Tycobbian Union. The Final 4 match-ups are shaping up to be something truly special as all of the participants have fine ballclubs. It wouldn't be big surprise to see the underdogs playing for the title. Wynnamac has fine pitching and Fairfax has a well-rounded team, adept at all aspects of the game.

In the Elite 8 Series Far Mountain mauled St. John in four straight, Wynnamac topped Forest City four games to one, Tuckanarra took care of Denton City and Fairfax upset Turon, both winning in six games. The Frogs were the only underdog to win as the Typhoons were favored to contend with Far Mountain in the Pro Cup finals. Neither the Redhawks, nor the Blue Jays should take their opponents lightly.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

2013 Ruthlandian Union Final 4 Series - Game One at Sky High Stadium in Far Mountain

FM Redhawks Fly Out Of The Gate, Dump Wynnamac 6-2
The unbeaten Far Mountain Redhawks are off to a good start in the Ruthlandian Union Final 4 Series. They dumped Wynnamac in the first game of the series 6-2 with some excellent mound work and timely hitting. Boomerang Hines (2-0 2.50) scattered 8 hits in a route-going start to get the win. In his career Hines is now 12-4 in the postseason with a super 1.74 ERA. The Redhawks chalked up 4 runs in the first and had a 6-0 lead by the fourth frame. Jerry Meeks , 22-6 in the season, found it tough going and was pounded for 6 runs in just 3+ innings. Meeks is now 1-2 in the playoffs with a 5.23 ERA. 2B Jim Rhodes (.389) had 3 hits to lead Far Mountain's line-up. C Otis Ott (.318) chimed in with 2 hits and CF Xavier Sosa (.412) boomed in 2 runs with a triple. The Redhawks had a slight 10-8 hit advantage. Sundowner LF Big Hoss Burkhalter (.261) had the game's only home run.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

2013 Tycobbian Union Final 4 Series - Game One at Central Park Stadium in Tuckanarra

Bristow Cools Off Hot Frogs 4-2 in Opener
Two 25-game winners were on the hill in the Tycobbian Union Final 4 with Tuckanarra's Titus Bristow cooling off the hot Fairfax bats with a 4-2 victory. Bristow worked 8 standout innings and then he gave way to the Blue Jays bullpen ace Stephen Eubarinja to seal the verdict. Bristow (2-1 4.82) stopped the Frogs on 6 hits in his stint. Eubarinja had a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save of the postseason. On the losing side Ken Hill (1-1 1.08) also went the distance and permitted only one earned run as the Frogs committed 3 errors behind him. The Blue Jays blistered him for 14 hits, but left 11 runners on base. Five Blue Jay batters collected a pair of hits each: RF Danny Redd (.393), LF Dan Hill (.250), C Yoshi Motsuzuki (.370), 2B Milt Sims (.304) and Bristow (.571). 2B Fran O'Brian (.357) got 3 singles, half of the Frogs hits.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Around the Town in the IPA

FAR MOUNTAIN REDHAWKS
Owner: Johann Becker
GM/Manager: Alex Groveland

Far Mountain, located in northern Ruthlandia in the Appian Mountains, is a very popular year-round ski resort and convention center. A beautiful town of 75,000 founded by immigrants from the German and Swiss Alps, Far Mountain oozes Tyrolian charm and culture. Horse drawn sleighs and buggies provide free public transportation. The rich and famous come here for wonderful ski vacations, to savor the good life and to enjoy the great hotels, nightclubs, shops, restaurants and nightlife. Yet it is priced for every pocketbook. Middle class families also partake of its many pleasures and activities. And with fine convention facilities, Far Mountain plays host to many professional and educational organizations.

And it is the home of the Far Mountain Redhawks baseball team of the Ruthlandian Union. The team is in the North Division and plays their games at Sky High Stadium with a magnificent panoramic view of the Appian Mountains in the distance. A specialty at all Redhawks games is a great polka band that furnishes music and songs, whenever there is a break in the game action. During the seventh-inning stretch Redhawks supporters have a great time doing the “Chicken Dance” and singing “Take me out to the ballgame” to the accompaniment of the polka band. And fans get to enjoy special culinary treats of Bavarian beers, Nurnberg bratwurst mit sauerkraut (fried sausage with sauerkraut), Schwartzwalder kirschtorte (Black Forest cake) and Apfelstrudel (apple strudel) pastries and hot gourmet soups at the games. Many fine German beers are served in profusion, too. In addition all of the traditional ballpark favorites are provided.

The Far Mountain Redhawks are owned by Johan Becker, whose family has been for 150 years the proprietors of one of the oldest hotels in town, The Bavarian Gasthaus. Becker developed a love for baseball in high school and college and played varsity baseball for both. He met Jock Ewing of Ewing Oil and Ewing Enterprises and developed a business relationship with him to make Far Mountain into a tourist resort. When Ewing offered him one of the franchises in the IPA, Johan quickly invested in it.

For a general manager and field manager, he hired one of the great pitchers of the industrial leagues, Alex Groveland.

Sky High Stadium (1997)
Capacity: 10,444
Dimensions:
LF Line 330
LF 354
LC 380
CF 402
RC 380
RF 354
RF Line 330

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Thursday, September 25, 2013

2013 Ruthlandian Union Final 4 Series - Game Two at Sky High Stadium in Far Mountain

FM Nips Wynnamac 3-2, Kelly Puts Them Up By 2 Games
Deja vu all over again in the Ruthlandian Union Final 4. The Far Mountain Redhawks are on another postseason run with their sixth straight triumph. That's the way it was last year when the Redhawks won its second Pro Cup in a row. Robby Kelly (2-0 1.50) got behind 2-0 in the first frame, but didn't give up any more runs the rest of the game in the 3-2 squeaker, won in the bottom of the ninth on PH Kelly Baxes' (.500) double. Kelly limited the Sundowners to 7 hits and a pair of run in a complete game. He totaled 8 strikeouts, while walking only one batter. Wynnamac starter Lenny Ward pitched quite well, allowing only 2 runs and 6 hits. Ward exited with the score tied at 2-2. Closer Dan Stevens (0-1 3.86) lost it in the ninth as he was whacked for 2 hits and a walk.

LF Big Hoss Burkhalter (.259) and CF Clive Farnham (.231) got the Sundowners off on the right foot in the opening inning with RBIs. Far Mountain made it 2-1 in the third on 2B Jim Rhodes' (.400) double and LF Phil Stewart's (.174) single. CF Xavier Sosa's (.350) ground-out tied it up in the seventh.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Thursday, September 26, 2013

2013 Tycobbian Union Final 4 Series - Game Two at Central Park Stadium in Tuckanarra

Blue Jays Win First Two Games, Nudges Frogs 4-3
Playing at home, the Tuckanarra Blue Jays got another stout mound outing to slip past Fairfax 4-3 as Delaney Elliott (2-1 2.49) combined with closer Stephen Eubarinja to win for the second day in a row in the best-of-seven TU Final 4 Series. Elliott took a 4-2 lead into the ninth and needed help from Eubarinja. Elliott worked 8 and two-thirds innings and gave up 3 runs on 8 hits. Eubarinja got the final out after giving up a run-scoring single. Joe Hampton (0-1 3.91) went the distance for Fairfax and allowed 4 runs on 7 hits. C Yoshi Motsuzuki (.387) was 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs to lead Tuckanarra. Motsuzuki got his second home run of the postseason in the fourth inning to give the Blue Jays a 3-0 margin. Frog LF Phil Nelson (.222) narrowed the score to 3-2 with a two-run single in the top of the fifth. Motsuzuki's triple expanded the Tuckanarra lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth frame.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Friday, September 26, 2013

2013 Ruthlandian Union Final 4 Series - Game Three at Granger Field in Wynnamac

Nichols' HR Gives FM Redhawks 3-0 Lead In RU Final 4
In another spinetingler Don Nichols' 10th-inning homer gave the sizzling Far Mountain Redhawks a 4-3 triumph over Wynnamac and their seventh consecutive Pro Cup playoff victory. Nichols' blast gave the Redhawks their third successive win over the Sundowners in the Ruthlandian Union Final 4 Series. One more victory will send them to an unprecedented third straight Pro Cup Final.

3B Duane Parsons' (.520) RBI double gave Far Mountain a 1-0 lead in the first frame. Wynnamac countered that with two runs in the bottom of the inning on an RBI double by LF Big Hoss Burkhalter (.267) and an RBI single by CF Clive Farnham (.256). Redhawk CF Xavier Sosa tied it in the sixth with a double and put them ahead 3-2 with a solo shot in the eighth. Sosa lead everybody with 13 RBIs in the playoffs this year. The Sundowners sent the game into extra innings with an unearned run in the last of the ninth.

Far Mountain had the edge in hits 12 to 11. Both teams left a lot of runners on base. Woody Crawford started for the Redhawks and did a fine job, going 8 innings, allowing 9 hits and 2 runs, while Gene Fair went 9 innings for Wynnamac, yielded 3 runs and 10 hits. The victory was picked up by Jesse Hughes, who blew the save, but was saved by Nichols' homer. Hughes (1-0 0.00) worked two innings and gave up one unearned run. Dan Stevens (0-2 5.40) was the losing pitcher. He allowed Nichols' game-winner in the 10th.

Parsons led the Redhawks with 3 hits and Nichols and Sosa had 2 each. 1B Nate Cockroft (.367) paced the Sundowners with 3 hits and rookie C Tweet Tillman (.233) chipped in with a pair of hits.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Friday, September 27, 2013

2013 Tycobbian Union Final 4 Series - Game Three at the Frog Pond in Fairfax

Spence Spins 2-0 Shutout, Tucks Take 3rd In A Row
The Tycobbian Union Final 4 switched ballparks, but that didn't make any difference in Tuckanarra's great pitching. Roy Spence was as tough on the road at the Frog Pond in Fairfax as he is at home in Tuckanarra. He made himself at home with a 2-0 shutout over the Frogs. Spence (2-0 1.44) scattered 8 hits over 8 innings, struck out 5 and gave up no walks. Closer Stephen Eubarinja notched his 4th playoff save blanking Fairfax in the ninth. It was the third straight victory for the Blue Jays, who are well on their way to their first Pro Cup appearance, if they can win one of the last three games in this series.

RF Danny Redd (.343) supplied the offense with a 2-run homer in the fifth. Tuckanarra only got 6 hits off Steve Aaron (1-1 2.63), who went the route in defeat.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Friday, September 26, 2013

2013 Ruthlandian Union Final 4 Series - Game Four at Granger Field in Wynnamac

Redhawks Sweep Again, Pro Cup 3-Peat Possible
The way the Far Mountain Redhawks are playing is unheard of in the annals of the Islandian Pro Alliance. Manager Alex Groveland's crew has swept both postseason series so far and has rung up 8 consecutive victories and will now try to three-peat with 3 straight Pro Cups. The Redhawks really put a licking on the Wynnamac Sundowners in game 4 of the RU Final 4 Series. They smashed them 11-2 with a 15-hit attack and solid pitching by Boomerang Hines. CF Xavier Sosa (.400), 3B Duane Parsons (.571) and 1B Fran Grzanka (.382) led the hit-fest with 3 hits each. Sosa is having another great postseason. He homered, doubled and drove in 4 runs, giving him 17 RBIs in this year's playoffs. Hines (3-0 2.33) was his usual self with a route-going performance. Hines was touched for 8 hits, but for only 2 runs with 5 Ks and a walk. Far Mountain ran up a 7-1 score after 6 innings on losing pitcher Jerry Meeks (1-3 5.74), then put the game out-of-sight with 2 more in the eighth and 2 more in the ninth.

The Redhawks opponent will probably be the powerful Tuckanarra Blue Jays, who look like the likely team to represent the Tycobbian Union in the Pro Cup Finals. The Blue Jays could wrap up its TU Final 4 today with a win over Fairfax. This could be the first time ever that the teams with the best regular season records in each league have met for the overall Island title. Far Mountain won 93 games this year, while Tuckanarra led the IPA with 100 victories.