ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 5, 2023

2023 IPA Pro Cup Finals

V's Win In 11th On Ferguson HR - Game 3
After dropping the first two games of the IPA Pro Cup Finals in Tuckanarra, Valmara came home to War Memorial Stadium for game three and for three innings it looked bad... they dug a hole for themselves and fell behind 5-2, but rookie starter Johnny Vasylenko settled down and blanked Tuckanarra over the next five innings and the Vipers finally caught up with 2 runs in the fifth and one in the last of the ninth... then won it 6-5 on 1B Tyler Ferguson's 11th-inning homer... now Valmara is back in the hunt for the Pro Cup, trailing two games to one in the best-of-seven series... Strong relief by two rookies saved the day... Ivan Guzek hurled two scoreless innings and Chris Phillips (2-0 1.12) finished off the Blue Jays in the 11th for the win... Tuckanarra's number four starter Apari Churchill got the call due to an injury to Dean Peterson... Churchill kept the Blue Jays ahead most of the game and left with a 5-4 lead after 8 innings, but the bullpen bunch couldn't hold it... closer Archie Desmond (1-0 2.08) blew the save in the ninth and George O'Reilly (1-1 2.53) lost it in the 11th.

The V's outhit the Blue Jays 11 to 10 with Ferguson getting 3 of them and driving in 4 runs... RF Gerry Kazmarek (.161) got 2 hits and scored 3 times... LF Sonny Oliver (.255) batted in 2 runs and now has a club-high 10 in the playoffs... 1B Lynn Starr (.317) and RF Danny Redd (.286) sparked the Tucks with solo homers and LF Dan Hill (.200) had 2 hits and 2 RBIs.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 6, 2023

2023 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 4

Valmara Ties Pro Cup On Szymanski's HR
The Tuckanarra Blue Jays were within one out of going up 3-1 in the IPA Pro Cup Finals, but they didn't get it - Valmara's Teddy Szymanski swatted a two-out 3-run homer in the bottom of the ninth at War Memorial Stadium to edge the Blue Jays 4-3 and tie up the series at two games apiece... it's a brand new series... Tuckanarra starter Quinn Starr fired a brilliant game and took a 3-1 lead into the ninth... Starr allowed only 2 hits in his 8 innings... but closer Archie Desmond (1-1 1.93) lost his first game of the season when Szymanski homered... none of the runs off Desmond were earned... Clem Carmouche started for the Vipers and worked a strong game, permitting only 4 hits and 2 runs with 5 Ks and 6 walks in 8 innings... Ivan Guzek (2-0 4.50) picked up the win, despite giving up a run in the top of the ninth... Valmara was outhit 6 to 4 by the Tucks.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 6, 2023

2023 IPA Pro Cup Finals

Tucks Trim V's 4-0 in 10, Take Pro Cup Lead - Game 5
The pitching was magical in game five of the IPA Pro Cup Series... two 20-game winners were on the hill and they both did magnificently... Glynn Starr went 9 shutout innings for Tuckanarra and Billy Ray tossed 8 scoreless inning for Valmara... the Blue Jays finally broke it open with 4 runs in the top of the tenth off losing pitcher Frank Favazzo (0-1 5.40) and now are within one game of Island baseball supremacy... Tuckanarra leads the series three games to two... RF Danny Redd (.260) drove in the game-winner with a sacrifice fly, then 1B Lynn Starr (.327) clinched it for his brother with a 3-run homer... Glynn Starr (4-0 1.76) got the victory, striking out 9 and walking only one batter... Tuckanarra had the hit advantage 9 to 5... the series resume tomorrow afternoon in Tuckanarra... If needed, the final two games will be there at Central Park Stadium.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 6, 2023

2023 IPA Pro Cup Finals

Peterson Pitches Tucks To First Pro Cup Title - Game 6
For days Dean Peterson has been itching to take the hill in the IPA Pro Cup Finals and he finally got his chance... Peterson hurled Tuckanarra to a 6-3 triumph over the Valmara Vipers in game six at Central Park Stadium to win the Pro Cup Series four games to two... this was Tuckanarra first Pro Cup trophy ever... a bad blister kept Peterson off the mound for 9 days... today Peterson (2-0 2.33) worked a solid game, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits in his 8 innings with 6 strikeouts and only one walk... closer Archie Desmond (1-1 1.74) registered his 6th postseason save with a scoreless ninth... leading the Blue Jay bats were CF Thomas Parker (.244) and LF Dan Hill (.250), who smacked homers... RF Danny Redd (.278) added 2 hits and scored twice... 2B Ron Freiberg (.298) and CF Teddy Szymanski (.393) homered in defeat for the Vipers... Valmara starter Johnny Vasylenko (0-2 5.28) took the loss, yielding 6 runs in 6 innings... the Blue Jays collected 11 hits to 7 for the V's... Tuckanarra lost to Far Mountain in its only other Pro Cup appearance in 2013, while Valmara last appeared in 2003 and lost to Turon.

Tuckanarra snapped a 4-year losing streak by the Tycobbian Union. Overall the Ruthlandian Union still owns a 14 to 9 lead in Pro Cup competition. Turon of the TU has captured the most Pro Cups. The Typhoons have prevailed 4 times in 6 tries. The Far Mountain Redhawks top the RU with 3 titles, all back-to-back from 2011 to 2013. The Redhawks have never lost in the Pro Cup Finals. Last year's winner, the Crystal Lake Crushers, fell to runner-up Valmara in the first round this year. The Vipers knocked them off four games to one.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 9, 2023

Tucks Glynn Starr Selected Pro Cup MVP
Many people would say this year's Pro Cup Most Valuable Player was the Tuckanarra mound corps and they would be right. The Blue Jay twirlers did a masterful job in the postseason with the prime starters and relievers posting a terrific 2.11 ERA in 13 starts and 16 relief appearances. The Islandian Times conducted its poll and came out with 25-year-old Glynn Starr being chosen the IPA Pro Cup MVP. Starr, part of the super triplets that are the vital cogs of the new IPA champions, was 4-0 with a great 1.76 ERA in 5 starts. Starr tossed 41 innings, allowed only 23 hits, fanned 32 and walked 15. Starr beat Bay St. Clair 2-1, White River 3-2 and Valmara twice in the Pro Cup Finals, 7-3 and 4-0. Teams hit only .161 against him. He fired 7 strong innings in a second game against White River in the 5-2 victory, but did not get the decision. The Blue Jays won it with a 3-run ninth. This year's MVP was 25-10 with a 3.00 ERA during the regular season.

The number two vote-getter was Tuckanarra terrific closer Archie Desmond, who worked in 10 games, saved 6 and notched a 1-1 record with an impressive 1.74 ERA in 10 innings. The 33-year-old Desmond struck out 11 and walked 4.

Glynn's brother, Quinn, was third in the poll with an identical 4-0 mark with a 2.37 ERA. He made 5 starts, pitched 38 innings and struck out 18.

Tuckanarra's first baseman Lynn Starr laughingly told the press, "I was the black sheep of the family. I tried pitching, but couldn't get anybody out." However, the third Starr did his part in the title run. Lynn paced the Blue Jays in the playoffs with a .327 BA and 2 homers, while driving in 6 runs and scoring 8.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Season's Best Fielders Selected by RU
It's been said that the best offense is a good defense. That's why contending teams are always looking to improve on the defensive side of the game. Keeping runs from scoring is just as good as driving them in. Vic Valenti of the Beechwood Bobcats was honored for the 4th time and Warren Fisher of the Elnora All-Stars took home his second Golden Glove. The rest of the award winners were first timers. Two rookies were named to the team: pitcher Adam Aru of Valka and outfielder Stan Saunders of Fort Benton.

2023 Ruthlandian Union Golden Glove Team:
Pitcher: Adam Aru (Valka Blackhawks) .973 FA (21-16 2.42 ERA)
Catcher: Jim Brando (Marston Nine) .994 FA (.159 BA/4 HR/38 RBI/39 R)
First Baseman: Stan Martov (Valka Blackhawks) .995 FA (.244 BA/3 HR/42 RBI/80 R)
Second Baseman: Garlin Delk (Sligo Rovers) .989 FA (.279 BA/17 HR/87 RBI/64 R)
Third Baseman: Mackie McAllister (Far Mountain Redhawks) .979 FA (.246 BA/16 HR/85 RBI/72 R)
Shortstop: Warren Fisher (Elnora All-Stars) .984 FA (.253 BA/5 HR/67 RBI/58 R)
Left Fielder: Stan Saunders (Fort Benton Defenders) .987 FA (.271 BA/5 HR/67 RBI/58 R)
Center Fielder: Vic Valenti (Beechwood Bobcats) .998 FA (.343 BA/36 HR/122 RBI/116 R)
Right Fielder: Travis Glass (Elnora All-Stars) .981 FA (.313 BA/32 HR/92 RBI/98 R)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Tycobbian Union Announces Golden Glove Award Winners
"Ball hawk" is a good name for the members of the defensive elite, the players who make leather shine. The fielders who crashed the wall, leaped in the air, and dived in the hole better than any others during 2023 have been tabbed as the Tycobbian Union's Golden Glove Award winners. Topping the team was Bayview's Norm Owens, who picked up his 8th Golden Glove, followed by Derek Ryckman of Cape Coral, who won for the 5th time, and Bud Walker of Bay St. Clair, a 4-time recipient. Other multiple winners were Crash Davis of Ginza and James Mack of Red Bluff. They were named for the second time in their careers.

2023 Tycobbian Union Golden Glove Team:
Pitcher: Iggy Cobos (La Claire Lynx) .988 FA (18-12 4.42 ERA)
Catcher: Crash Davis (Ginza Ninjas) .994 FA (.299 BA/12 HR/67 RBI/79 R)
First Baseman: Johnny Brenner (Luxora Zorros) .997 FA (.202 BA/11 HR/61 RBI/88 R)
Second Baseman: Bud Walker (Bay St. Clair Buccaneers) .990 FA (.268 BA/8 HR/44 RBI/103 R)
Third Baseman: James Mack (Red Bluff Red Sox) .963 FA (.317 BA/32 HR/105 RBI/100 R)
Shortstop: Gilbert Miles (Fairfax Frogs) .987 FA (.260 BA/10 HR/62 RBI/73 R)
Left Fielder: Norm Owens (Bayview Vikings) 1.000 FA (.276 BA/22 HR/89 RBI/94 R)
Center Fielder: Derek Ryckman (Cape Coral Hurricanes) .995 FA (.260 BA/10 HR/56 RBI/77 R)
Right Fielder: Lou Browning (San Alejo Montaneros) .990 FA (.243 BA/20 HR/60 RBI/104 R)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Dillinger Named RU Best Newcomer
He's the toast of the town in Waleska -- the brand-new 2023 Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year Award winner -- left fielder Loco Dillinger. In his debut season he compiled some very impressive statistics, hitting .326, batting in 108 runs and scoring 83 times, while playing in 149 games. The 23-year-old newcomer also had 35 doubles, 4 triples and 28 home runs.

Number two in The Islandian Times rookie poll was Valka's fine right-hander Adam Aru. He was 21-16 with a sixth-place club with a 2.42 ERA, 15 complete games and 4 shutouts. Third in the vote was Belair Beach's slugging first sacker Kees Draeger. In 150 games Draeger batted .298 with 33 homers and 106 RBIs.

Hartwig Honored by TU as 2023 Best Rookie
Oxford left fielder Dennis Hartwig set the tone for rookies across the Tycobbian Union in 2023 and today was tabbed for the league's Rookie of the Year Award. He topped the TU in hitting with a .372 average in 150 games, while collecting 197 hits, 29 home runs, 90 RBIs and scoring 138 runs.

Hillsboro's Biggy Washington finished second in the balloting. The young Blazer center fielder led the Tycobbian Union with 54 steals, scored 100 runs and hit 25 homers. Washington played in 152 games and batted .268. His teammate Ben Garvik was third in The Islandian Times rookie survey. Garvik posted a 17-16 mark with a 3.07 ERA for the third-place Blazers. Garvik completed 15 games and had 2 shutouts.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 12, 2023

Valenti Acclaimed RU's Best Hitter for 2023
Beechwood's Vic Valenti put the wraps on a fine campaign today by winning the 2023 Ruthlandian Union Golden Bat Award, given annually by The Islandian Times to the best hitter in the league. This is the third time in his illustrious career Valenti has won the award. He also won in 2015 and 2020. The 31-year-old star center fielder scorched the opposition with a .343 average, picking up 202 hits, 27 doubles, 2 triples, 36 home runs and 122 RBIs, while playing in 148 games. Valenti led the RU with 202 hits and 116 runs and sparked the Bobcats to a second-place finish in the RU East.

Middlefield's Allan Stewart was the runner-up to Valenti. Steward paced the Roosters to the RU West pennant with a .328 BA, 42 roundtrippers, 119 RBIs and 112 runs scored. The talented 23-year-old first baseman, playing in his fourth season, led the Ruthlandian Union in home runs.

Waleska's tremendous Roy Hobbs, the Golden Bat winner the last two years and four times in his career, wound up third in The Islandian Times poll this season. Hobbs hit .323 with 28 homers and 104 runs batted in, while scoring 108 times in 149 contests. The Westerners came in third in the RU South this year.

2023 TU #1 Hitter is High Mesa's Elliott
The name of the Tycobbian Union Golden Bat Award should be changed to the Jack Elliott Award. For the 11th successive season Elliott had won it. For another standout year, he's once again taking home the Golden Bat Award in the Tycobbian Union. The 30-year-old superstar and High Mesa first baseman put up a batting average of .360 with 38 doubles, 4 triples, 43 home runs and 111 RBIs. Elliott participated in all 154 games this season and had more hits than anybody in the IPA with 215. Elliott ended up second to Oxford rookie Dennis Hartwig for the bat crown. Elliott's Cowboys almost won the TU East flag, but fell one game short behind the Tuckanarra Blue Jays, who were this year's Pro Cup champion.

Hartwig was second in the balloting. In a sensational freshman year Hartwig had the best batting average in the IPA with a .372 mark. The Red Cap outfielder played 150 games, had 197 hits with 38 doubles, 11 triples and 29 homers. Hartwig batted in 90 runs and paced the IPA with 138 runs.

The third spot in the TU Golden Bat poll went to La Claire's fine third baseman Flash Devlin, who hit .341 with 32 home runs, 110 runs batted in and scored 124 times, while participating in 148 games. Devlin led the Lynx to a surprising third-place finish in the TU. La Claire was 7th in 2022.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 13, 2023

#1 RU Hurler Is CL's Welch
The Golden Arm Award for 2023 has been presented and the Ruthlandian Union winner for the third time in the last five years is Duncan Welch of Crystal Lake. Welch excelled with an impressive 24-11 record in 39 starts. In 328 innings he yielded 252 hits and 81 walks, while striking out 226 and compiling a fine 1.92 ERA with 9 shutouts. Welch led the IPA in ERA and shutouts and had 22 complete games. The 29-year-old portsider paced the Crushers to the RU South pennant, the third in the past four seasons.

Far Mountain's Jeff Cooper got the second-highest number of votes in The Islandian Times poll. Cooper, in his second IPA season, won 20 games again, winding up 25-12 with a superb 2.07 ERA. The Redhawks rose from fifth to second this year in the RU North. Cooper chalked up 5 shutouts and completed 22 games.

Beechwood Bobcat right-hander Frank Mullins was third in the balloting. The 25-year-old notched a 25-9 record with a 2.68 ERA, leading the club to second place in the RU East. Mullins hurled 21 complete games and posted one shutout.

Lasky's Great Year Nets Golden Arm Award
Bay St. Clair's Eddie Lasky took home the 2023 Tycobbian Union Golden Arm Award earlier today after a remarkable season on the mound. With a record of 25-8, Lasky was certainly a worthy winner. The 31-year-old right-hander made 39 starts and posted a 2.79 ERA. Because of his fine season the Buccaneers won the TU West title for the second time in three years. Lasky had 4 shutouts and finished 12 games.

Lasky's main competition for the award came from his talented rookie teammate Greg Moss, who helped the Bucs lead the IPA with 97 wins. Only 19, Moss registered a 24-9 record with a 2.40 ERA, 4 shutouts and 21 complete games. Moss and Lasky were certainly a dynamic duo in the Buccaneer starting rotation this season.

7-year veteran Jody Gentry had his best season by putting up a fine 22-8 mark with a 2.14 ERA, 3 shutouts and 10 complete games. The 29-year-old Gentry came in third in the poll and helped the Kenwood Wildcats to a fourth-place spot in the TU West.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 14, 2023

CL's Welch Wins 2nd MVP
For the second time in his 7-year career Crystal Lake's fantastic Duncan Welch has copped the Ruthlandian Most Valuable Player honor. Welch chalked up a 24-11 record to lead the Crushers to their third RU South pennant in four years. The 6' 7" southpaw topped the IPA with a 1.92 ERA and 9 shutouts. Welch also won the MVP Award in 2020.

Beechwood's superb center fielder Vic Valenti was number two in The Islandian Times annual poll. Valenti racked up 36 homers and 122 RBIs in a sensational season, while batting at a .343 clip. Valenti won the MVP trophy in 2015. Valenti led the RU in hits with 202 and in runs with 116.

Coming in third in the MVP voting was first baseman Allan Stewart of the Middlefield Roosters. Stewart sparked them to the RU West flag with a .328 BA, 42 home runs, 119 RBIs and 112 runs. Stewart was the RU leader in longballs.

IPA Icon Elliott Takes 4th MVP
One of the greatest players in IPA history Jack Elliott has won everything, but the thing he wants most - an IPA Pro Cup. Elliot was selected the Tycobbian Most Valuable Player for a record fifth time in his career and third year in a row. But the thing he most desires is to win the IPA Pro Cup. That is the only award that has alluded him. Elliott is an 11-time All-Star, 11-time Golden Bat winner and even has won 4 Golden Gloves, but he has never made the playoffs. This year his Cowboys came up one game short of the playoffs, finishing second to the IPA Pro Cup champ Tuckanarra in the TU East. That the closest Elliott ever got to the postseason in his 11-year career. This year the High Mesa first baseman had another colossal season with a .360 batting average, 215 hits, 38 doubles, 4 triples, 43 home runs, 111 RBIs and 134 runs.

Eddie Lasky has been a fine pitcher for 11 years in the IPA. He spent 9 and a half years laboring with Valka, a mediocre team. Then was traded in quick succession to Hartsdale for a half season and this year to Bay St. Clair. Ouila! Lasky finished second in the MVP vote for leading the Buccaneers to 97 victories, the most in the IPA. The 31-year-old righty won 25 games and only lost 8 times. This was his best year by far. Lasky posted a 2.79 ERA with 4 shutouts and 16 complete games and was also named the TU Golden Arm winner.

Number three in the MVP poll was Hartsdale's Jim Starks. The 35-year-old right-hander has been a solid, journeyman starter for the Hellcats for 6 seasons with a career 81-71 mark and a modest 3.51 ERA, but this year he moved up to elite status with a remarkable 23-5 record and 2.91 ERA. Starks sparked Hartsdale to a second-place finish in the TU North.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 15, 2023

Elnora's Malone Hailed As RU Best Skipper
It was a tough choice between three fine managers who enjoyed extra-special seasons. All three got good support in The Islandian Times best manager poll. In a close race the Ruthlandian Manager of the Year Award went to Sam Malone of the Elnora All-Stars, who made a dramatic and sudden rise from seventh to first in the RU East. Elnora improved from 72-82 to 98-56 in just one season, a remarkable turnaround. The All-Stars won more games than anyone in the IPA this year. Elnora hadn't won a division title since 2004. Malone is a first-time winner of the award.

Second in the voting was Jet Kazmarek of the Valmara Vipers. He led them up from sixth place (74-80) in 2022 to the top spot in the RU North with a 90-64 season. It was Valmara's first division flag since 2017.

And third in the voting was Middlefield's manager Bailey Norcross. His Roosters won the RU West for the first time in 17 long years. Middlefield ran second for two years in a row and moved up to the title this year, improving from 88-66 to 92-62.

BSC Bucs Rondre TU Top Manager
There were five serious challengers for the Tycobbian Union Manager of the Year. Emerging from the logjam was Bay St. Clair's Guy Rondre, who edged out Carton "Lefty" Stevens of Tuckanarra, Frisky Franks of High Mesa, Mick Cronyn of White River and Huroko Uchiyama of Ginza. This is Rondre's first best manager trophy.

Rondre led the Buccaneers to a sixth TU West title with the top record (97-57) in the Tycobbian Union. Bay St. Clair was third last season with an 83-71 mark. Tuckanarra's skipper Lefty Stevens was the second choice in The Islandian Times poll. His Blue Jays climbed to first after ending up fifth in 2022, going from 80-74 to 96-58. High Mesa's Frisky Franks was the third-highest vote-getter, finishing a close second to Tuckanarra in the TU West, just a game out of first with a 95-59 record, up from third the previous year with 82-72. White River's Mick Cronyn roused his club from the basement to pennant in the TU North, the second time in three years he has done that. The Rascals improved from 68-86 to a sparkling 93-61. Cronyn wound up number four in the balloting. Ginza's skipper Huroko Uchiyama was fifth as he piloted his Ninjas from fourth (79-79) to first (92-62) in the TU South.

Alex Groveland, skipper of the Far Mountain Redhawks, leads the Ruthlandian managers. Groveland has won the Manager of the Year Award three times. Matty Christianson of the Rolling Hills Reds has won the Tycobbian Union honor on three occasions, too.

[Eugene Church]

That's it for Year 2023...

I'm working on the rosters for the 2024 season.

I'm about halfway done.

It may take me a day or three to start the new season.

Thanks to all of you who check in on the IPA.

It is much appreciated.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, June 18, 2024

2024 Ruthlandian North Mid-Season Standings

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, June 19, 2024

2024 Ruthlandian North Mid-Season Recap

5-Team Chase In RU North, Kilkenny Leads At Break
Will this be the year Kilkenny snaps its 23-year losing skein? The Cats have never made the IPA playoffs. But they are riding high right now, tied for first place with the defending RU North titleholder Valmara... it's an up year for Taranto, too... the Tars are in third place, just one game back... followed by fourth-place Ancona and fifth-place Far Mountain... the Red Elephants trail by 4 and the Redhawks by 7... nobody else seems to have much of a chance.

Kilkenny (46-27) relies on powerful pitching with a 3.02 team ERA (2nd)... manager Kevin McPhail had only average hitting (.253 BA/18th-tied), but scores well (9th)... Dave Whitaker (13-3 2.04) has shouldered much of the load, but has gotten great help from the standout bullpen, which has a 2.36 ERA (4th)... closer Cuzz Grandberry (2-3 1.84) heads up the relief corps with 15 saves... light-hitting prevails with vet 3B Johnny Madigan (.322 BA/2 HR/25 RBI/43 R) and 2B Lyle Walker (.306 BA/4 HR/35 RBI/27 R) topping the bats... the Cats are great on defense with a super .980 FA, second in the RU.

Last year's division winner and Pro Cup finalist Valmara (46-27) is even better this year... the Vipers can hit for a change... manager Jet Kazmarek's club leads the RU with a .280 BA and tops the league in scoring... not the case last year when the V's were woefully weak swinging the bats... Valmara still has solid pitching (3.33 ERA/11th) with two talented starters in Billy Ray (7-7 2.77) and Clem Carmouche (10-2 2.43)... closer Chris Phillips (3-4 1.54) has chalked up 11 saves... leading the line-up are CF Teddy Szymanski (.337 BA/16 HR/53 RBI/55 R), LF Sonny Oliver (.312 BA/12 HR/59 RBI/38 R) and RF Gerry Kazmarek (.286 BA/1 HR/23 RBI/53 R)... Valmara is not in the same class as Kilkenny, but the Vipers do field well with a .975 FA (5th-tied)

Tommaso Lazzorda has his Taranto Tars (45-28) smack dab in the pennant chase this year just a game behind in third place... up from sixth last year... better hitting and better pitching will do it every time... The Tars offense has returned to respectability and the mound staff has gone from bad to so-so... Taranto is hitting .270 (3rd) with 73 homers (3rd) and is second to Valmara in runs scored... 2B Greg Murphy (.354 BA/12 HR/42 RBI/63 R) is having a great year and is leading the RU in runs... 3B Aron Aiello (.311 BA/4 HR/29 RBI/31 R) and 1B Denny Zaffino (.269 BA/13 HR/43 RBI/28 R) also provide offense... on the hill 20-year-old Alfredo Barsotti (9-3 3.07) and Johnny Sakelaris (10-5 2.71) have been tremendous... closer Pat Pappas (6-2 2.38) has stood out, too.

The fourth-place Ancona Red Elephants (42-31) are only 4 games off the pace and are still a good ball club, but not like they were a few years ago when they won four pennants in five years... Manny Mickens' team has not been the same since great ace Clete Dukas (143-84 2.91) retired two seasons ago... the Red Elephants are still solid at the plate with a .261 BA (4th) and 54 home runs (10th-tied)... Ancona is number three in scoring... LF Kenny Willard (.307 BA/7 HR/57 RBI/50 R) is still going strong at age 32 with lots of help from 1B Alekos Kotas (.286 BA/14 HR/53 RBI/46 R), 3B Todd Nasso (.288 BA/9 HR/44 RBI/47 R) and SS Yanni Kouris (.303 BA/3 HR/25 RBI/24 R)... Ancona's team ERA is 3.68 (22nd)... free agent pickup from Ginza, Joji Azuma (10-4 3.49), has been a pleasant surprise at age 40... Spiros Zodiates (7-8 3.13) has been solid, too... closer Kenny Nikas (1-2 1.46) has saved 12 games... Ancona is excellent with the mitts with a .978 FA (4th).

The Far Mountain Redhawks (39-34) are well within striking distance of first place, just 7 games out... with the four fine starters that Alex Groveland has, the Redhawks are not out of the running... his mound corps has posted a strong 3.09 team ERA (3rd) and is led by 22-year-old Jeff Cooper (8-8 2.58) and veteran Woody Crawford (8-8 3.16), along with two outstanding 20-year-olds, Jakob Wagner (10-5 3.21) and Karl Franz (9-6 3.16)... Groveland may have the best starting four in the IPA... closer Hans Becker (2-2 2.22) is doing well with 15 saves... Far Mountain is only average with the bats with a .251 BA (17th)... LF Ryan Mizell tops the team with 50 RBIs and 8 HRs, while batting .277... the Redhawks handle gloves well, too, with a .975 FA (5th-tied).

The Glasco Athletics (35-38) are in the sixth spot in the RU North standings, trailing by 11 games... but skipper Charles Darby has some talented players in his son, 2B Eddie Darby (.316 BA/7 HR/34 RBI/44 R), 1B Garris Aiken (.318 BA/19 HR/64 RBI/49 R), who lead the RU in RBIs, and pitcher Davy McAdams (11-5 2.54).

The LaGrange Sports (33-40) are 13 games back in seventh place... manager Otto Kronvath has solid pitching with a 3.23 team ERA (7th), but his club is hitting only .233 BA (31st)... starters Gabe Thomas (5-6 2.80), Niles Wooten (5-10 2.86) and Mike York (8-9 2.90) have really pitched well, but have little to show for it in wins.

Over in Ranford, Rick Fargnoli has the arms, but not the bats... the Ranford Bulls (32-41) are dead last, 14 games behind first-place Valmara and Kilkenny... the team ERA is very good at 3.17 (5th), but they are batting only .245 (23rd) and a tied for 24th in scoring... Fargnoli's starters are quite capable, but need some run support... Angelo Coppolo (3-1 2.11), Scotty Simmons (3-10 2.65) and Archie Young (5-4 2.07) have certainly held down the opposition, but have come up short in wins... LF Tyee Maska (.289 BA/11 HR/45 RBI/44 R) has been Ranford's only batting threat.

Ruthlandian North Forecast:
Valmara looks to be too strong and should take its second straight pennant and go deep into the Pro Cup playoffs again... they may even have a shot at going all the way because of the improved hitting and offense... the Vipers should slowly pull away from the pack in the second half... Ancona and Taranto will battle for the runner-up spots because of the offense... Kilkenny and Far Mountain will contest for fifth place... the Cats and the Redhawks just do not hit... Glasco, LaGrange and Ranford will contend for sixth.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, June 18, 2024

2024 Ruthlandian South Mid-Season Standings

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, June 18, 2024

2024 Ruthlandian South Mid-Season Recap

Powerful Crushers On Top In RU South
The Crystal Lake Crushers have literally pitched themselves to two Ruthlandian South pennants in the last three years, but this year they are also at the top the batting list, too. That's not good news for the rest of the division. At the All-Star break the Crushers are 3 games ahead of the field with two serious challengers in second place Grand City and Waleska. The Claxton Diamonds are still in contention and are 6 games out.

Baby George has the best-hitting team in the RU with a .280 BA... Crystal Lake (45-28) is number 5 in scoring runs... however, the Crushers don't have much punch... they have only 29 homers (32nd)... CF Herm Taylor (.379 BA/1 HR/41 RBI/49 R) is having a great year and is the top hitter in the league at mid-season... Taylor is surrounded by a solid core of batters... RF Augie Marshall is supplying the much-needed home run, topping the team with 11 and 42 RBIs... the Crushers pitching is down some and no longer totally dominating, but it is still quite good with a 3.13 team ERA (4th)... last year's RU MVP Duncan Welch (13-5 2.22) and Dennis Taylor (8-5 2.82) lead the starting rotation... George's most pressing needs are more power and a closer... defensively the Crushers are average with a .975 fielding percentage.

The Waleska Westerners (45-28) have taken a page out of Crystal Lake's notebook and lead the RU with a brilliant 2.65 team ERA, the best in the IPA... Pete Herman (11-5 2.50), rookie Charlie Chan (6-5 2.74), vet Doug Watts (3-0 1.56) and Sammy Grimaldi 6-9 3.30) are a fearsome foursome... a little better run support (12th) would make McGraw Johnson's boys a serious threat to the Crushers... they signed aging star Phil Gravelli (.266 BA/5 HR/33 RBI), the IPA's all-time leading slugger, who has 4188 hits, 722 homers, 2459 runs and has played more games than anyone in history (3521)...40-year-old Gravelli's contribution in the second half of the season will be crucial... superstar CF Roy Hobbs (.344 BA/17 HR/50 RBI/49 R) is still the team leader with some help from second-year LF Loco Dillinger (.293/3 HR/31 RBI/34 R), whose power numbers and average are down from a great rookie year... Dillinger will have to pick it up in the second half, too... Waleska is lousy on defense with a very poor .966 FA, one of the worst in the IPA.

Wade Joplin's Grand City Cybercats (42-31) are tied for second... the 'Cats have been hanging near the top of the RU South for the last seven years... they even stole a pennant from Crystal Lake in 2021... Joplin needs pitching badly to compete for the pennant... the Cybercats have a 3.74 ERA (26th)... Jimbo Stearns (10-4 3.85), Luis Perez (8-5 3.68) and Frankie Collier (11-5 3.57) will have to step it to the next level... closer Ralph Teague is one of the finest in the IPA... He is 2-3 this season with 14 saves and a 2.39 ERA.. Lifetime in 10 seasons Teague is 46-36 with an outstanding 1.90 ERA... the major threats in the line-up are 13-year vet 3B Jug Slavin (.290 BA/5 HR/46 RBI/36 R) and 1B Bubby Harris (.285 BA/3 HR/46 RBI/36 R)... Grand City is batting .258 (8th), but scores well and is ranked 4th... the Cybercats also excell on defense with a .979 FA, 4th-best in the IPA.

It's been five years since the "Old Perfesser" Stacy Engel has been in the division race... 2015-2019 the Claxton Diamonds (39-34) captured 3 flags in 5 years... they are in fourth place this season due to much-improved pitching... the Diamonds have compiled a strong 3.20 team ERA (6th) and have a solid offense, rated 6th in scoring... they are within hailing distance of first place, 6 games off the pace... and they have gotten hot leading into the mid-year All-Star hiatus with a 12-4 record... Engel's staff is led by two youngsters, 21-year-old Max Jung (10-2 2.45), 20-year-old Dirk De Beer (9-7 3.00), one old-timer 34-year-old Sam Ervin (8-5 3.40) with help from 25-year-old closer Konrad Koch (2-3 1.86)... Claxton's stalwarts are 19-year veteran C Allen Lemay (.322 BA/10 HR/46 RBI), a 4-time All-Star... and 11-year veteran RF K. C. Moerdijk (.244 BA/18 HR/49 RBI).

The fifth-place San Dimas Rancheros (37-36) are a fair to middlin' ball club under Ron Armstrong, trailing by 8 games... three youngsters Rod Bailey (9-6 3.93) and Shannon White (8-8 3.26) head up the hill corps, along with a bullpen specialist Matt Stevens (1-3 3.20), who has saved 16 games... CF Ray Ford (.332 BA/9 HR/41 RBI/42) tops the team hitters.

Sixth place belongs to Marty Pedroza's Belair Beach Sunbirds (36-37), who are 9 games behind the race... the Birds have fine pitching this year with a 3.31 team ERA (8th), but fall down badly at the plate with a very poor .236 BA (30th)... however they can go deep with 64 roundtrippers (4th)... 20-year-old Jaime Pedroza (9-9 2.83) has made his dad proud so far in his two seasons with the club... 21-year-old Jaden Bungarooba (7-5 2.93) also has his dad smiling, too... the elder Little Jake Bungarooba (.219 BA/3 HR/19 RBI/36 R) is in his 21st season with the Sunbirds and gets to catch his son at age 41... 23-year-old Dan Marconi (7-5 3.42) is a consistent starter... the future looks bright for Belair Beach... long-time ace Denny Whitaker (8-9 4.14) is still in the starting rotation... Whitaker is in his 12th season and has a career 193-165 record with a fine 3.19 ERA... Pedroza needs a few more quality bats like 1B Kees Draeger (.293 BA/15 HR/46 RBI) to challenge the big boys in the RU South.

Since taking the division title in 2017, the Valka Blackhawks have slowly descended down near the bottom of the standings... Valka (33-40) is next-to-last this year and are 12 games back at mid-season... terrible hitting is the reason... the Blackhawks sport a dismal .236 BA (29th) and are 27th in scoring (279 runs) and home runs (38 HR)... vet closer Vinko Markovic (1-2 1.38) is the only note-worthy pitcher at age 38... in 15 seasons Markovic has 241 saves and an impressive 2.80 ERA... last year's 21-game winner Adam Aru has struggled in his sophomore season with a 6-7 mark and a 4.02 ERA... youthful CF Gene Bridges is the only consitent batter... Bridges leads the team with a .335 BA, but has little power with only 1 home run and 27 RBIs.

For the 5th time in 8 years the downtrodden St. John Crusaders (32-41) are in the RU South cellar, 13 games in back of first place Crystal Lake... Skinny Kisecawchuk has not had much success as the manager... the Crusaders have only one talented player... that is 26-year-old right-hander Jeremy Vincent, who won 20 games last year for a seventh-place team... Vincent is 8-5 with 2.86 ERA this season.

Ruthlandian South Forecast:
Now that Crystal Lake has a potent offense, it's tough to pick against the Crushers... they again look like the class of the RU South with good hitting and strong pitching... Crystal Lake will be one of the top seeds in the Pro Cup playoffs... pitcher-heavy Waleska is the second choice... whether or not the Westerners can overtake the Crushers depend on the offense... Claxton and Grand City will battle it out for the the third spot, with most experts giving the nod to the Diamonds... the San Dimas Rancheros and Belair Beach Sunbirds will duke it out for fifth place... with Valka and St. John trying to avoid the basement.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, June 18, 2024

2024 Ruthlandian East Mid-Season Standings

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, June 18, 2024

2024 Ruthlandian East Mid-Season Recap

6-Team Skuffle In RU East
A wide-open race is roaring in the Ruthlandian East with 6 teams within 3 games of one another. Eastshore and Wynnamac are tied for the top spot, one game ahead of runners-up Marston and Sugar Valley and only 3 games in front of Beechwood and Belle Plaine, who are tied for fifth place. Last year's division champ Elnora is seventh, 10 games off the pace and Cold Creek is last, trailing by 12. There is no dominant team in the RU East this season. It's anybody's ball game among the 6 contenders. Most of the clubs in the division are just average teams and the pennant winner is not likely to go very far in the Pro Cup playoffs.

Manager Killer Brewster doesn't have the horses he had in the Eastshore Elegants (38-35) heydays 0f 2016 to 2021 when they won two Pro Cups and four pennants and finished no lower than second... however he has them tied with Wynnamac at mid-season... Melvin Key is one of the few players around from those good old days... the 30-year-old Key (11-2 2.92) is still on top of his game and is the ace of the staff... closer Milt Campbell (1-3 ) has 15 saves and a 2.05 ERA... 2B Gerry Garner (.306 BA/14 HR/43 RBI/36 R) is still around from the Golden Years... they just need more help.

Good pitching has Matt Donnelly's Wynnamac Sundowners (38-35) in a first-place tie... leading the rotation are youngsters Jimmy Nichols (5-1 2.09), Jason Meeks (6-5 2.47) and Lon Marshall (7-10 2.49)... all they need is better run support and the Sundowners would really shine... vet closer Jim Horton gives Donnelly good relief... Horton (5-1 1.88) has had a strong year so far with 14 saves... 1B Pete Simmons (.332 BA/4 HR/35 RBI), 2B Liam Cadbury (.301 BA/6 HR/30 RBI/43 R), 3B Dorak Aranda (.275 BA/10 HR/47 RBI) and Lil Hoss Burkhalter (.291 BA/4 HR/32 RBI) provide most of the offense.

The third-place Sugar Valley Rattlers (37-36) play in little bitty ballpark with a lot of runs and home runs... If Gibby Bobkins' pitchers can keep the team ERA under 4.00, the Rattlers do very well... Well, this season it's the best it has ever been... Sugar Valley's staff has chalked up a 3.32 team ERA (10th) at the halfway point in the season, led by Nick Moore (9-5 2.42), a 10-year-vet... plus the bullpen is one of the best in the IPA with a 2.22 ERA (4th)... closer Dallas Casey (2-1 1.50) has posted 14 saves... middle relievers Milt Baker (0-1 2.54) and Joe Christopher (1-3 2.06) have excelled, too... As always, the Rattlers do well at the plate with 75 homers (2nd), sparked by young vets 1B Dean Woods (.316 BA/16 HR/46 RBI), RF Randall Hawson (.313 BA/16 HR/38 RBI), LF Marty Beckett (.289 BA/15 HR/47 RBI) and second-year 2B Jan Kissinger (.356 BA/3 HR/35 RBI)... Sugar valley plays good defense, too, sporting a fine .976 fielding average (5th)... IPA fielding average is .972 FA.

The Marston Nine (37-36) are tied for third with Sugar Valley, both just one game out of first... it's been six years since the Nine was a serious contender in the RU East... skipper Johnny Walters has four quality starters in ace Ronald Schmitt (10-5 2.86), Wayne Taylor (11-7 3.89), Anson Thomas (6-6 3.31) and Warren Tate (6-9 3.81)... but lacks a bullpen... Marston is terrible in relief with a 4.44 ERA (32nd)... Walters had a better-than-average offense with LF Carlton Curtis (.369 BA/7 HR/34 RBI/39 R) leading the way... Curtis missed almost all of his rookie season last year with an injury, playing only 10 games... Curtis has come back with a vengeance and is second in the batting race... all-time great CF Russ Woodward, a .325 career batting is hitting just .280 this year, but he is very productive with 12 homers, 42 RBIs and has scored 52 runs... 1B Mel Hawkins tops the team with 16 roundtrippers, 54 RBIs, while batting .258.

The fifth-place Beechwood Bobcats (35-38) have the same record as Belle Plaine... they trail the leaders by only 3 games... it's been 10 years since manager Bret George had a losing season... the Bobcats pitchers have gone to pot with a pathetic 4.24 team ERA (32nd)... Ken DeGraw (11-6 2.82) is carrying the club with help from Marty Panko (10-8 3.79)... 25-game winner Frank Mullins is struggling badly with a 7-9 mark and an atrocious 4.83 ERA... Beechwood is average at the plate, but has some talented bats... IPA superstar CF Vic Valenti leads the team with 9 homers and 45 RBIs... a lifetime .330 hitter, at mid-year Valenti is down quite bit average-wise at .280... Valenti won the Golden Bat Award last year and also another Golden Glove... other contributors are RF Jojo Davis (.318 BA/5 HR/24 RBI), LF Miron Burczyk (.307 BA/7 HR/29 RBI/40 R) and SS Artie Morton (.280 BA/7 HR/33 RBI).

This year is the Belle Plaine Musketeers (35-38) best chance to make the first division in 10 years... skipper Dave Torregrossa has improved pitching and hitting... at the plate the Muskies are paced by some solid sticks: SS Slick Hammill (.303 BA/8 HR/35 RBI), RF Leon Bourque (.311 BA/10 HR/45 RBI/49 R), C Derek Roman (.328 BA/8 HR/32 RBI/39 R) and 3B Tyler Verret (.305 BA/7 HR/47 RBI/42 R)... on the hill the Musketeers have two standouts: starter Johnny Davenport (13-6 3.23) and closer Tiny Ladrieux (1-1) with 11 saves and a microscopic 0.35 ERA... Ladrieux has given up only 1 earned run in 26 innings.

Are the defending RU East champion Elnora All-Stars (28-45) as bad as they have played this season?... Sam Malone's team has stumbled badly and dropped down to seventh place, 10 games off the pace... Malone says they are losing too many one-run games... the All-Stars have lost 17 one-run decisions this season... a bullpen with a 4.01 ERA (29th) is the culprit, especially the middle relievers... Malone starters have done well with a 3.18 ERA (5th)... lousy offense and poor relief have combined to do in the All-Stars... Will Hamilton is 5-9, but has a 2.36 ERA... Lucien Vachon is 6-11, but has a 2.83 ERA... closer Bud Foster has been fine with a 5-1 mark and a superb 0.75 ERA... Malone's best bats belong to RF Travis Glass (.303 BA/9 HR/39 RBI) and 1B Benny Cortazzo (.291 BA/9 HR/29 RBI)... the team is hitting only .240 (27th) and is ranked 31st in scoring runs.

Manager Trip Holmes and his Cold Creek Catamounts (26-47) seem to be headed for the fourth last-place finish in the last six seasons... the Catamounts are 12 games out at the All-Star break with not much hope of getting higher... Cold Creek is anemic at the plate with a .223 team BA (32nd), one of the worst, possibly the worst in IPA history... it's hard to compete when your best hitter is LF Carl Glick with a .272 BA, 9 homers and 42 RBIs... Jon Howard (7-10 2.92) is the Catamounts top pitcher and a pretty good one, too... not a lot of talent after Glick and Howard.

Ruthlandian East Forecast:
It will come down to Sugar Valley and Wynnamac for the pennant... Will the Rattlers good offense and good pitching beat the Sundowners at the plate and on the mound? The experts think Wynnamac with its strong starters and quality offense will edge out Sugar Valley for the RU flag... Eastshore doesn't look good on paper, despite being in first place at All-Star time... the Elegants may have a tough time holding off the Beechwood Bobcats for third place... but should hold on to fourth, beating off Marston and Belle Plaine... Elnora could right itself and climb higher by season's end... Cold Creek will have to wait until next year... or the next... or the next...

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, June 18, 2024

2024 Ruthlandian West Mid-Season Standings