ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 4, 2026

Ruthlandian Final 4 Series

V's Down Bobcats Again, Lem Wins 6-1
Strong pitching prevailed again in game two of the RU Final 4... Valmara rookie righthander Teddy Lem blanked Beechwood on 5 hits for 8 innings en route to a 6-1 victory to send the Vipers up two games to none in the best-of-seven series... Lem fanned 8 and walked 4... Valmara battered the Bobcats for 10 hits and 2 home runs, led by CF Teddy Szymanski (.173) and LF Sonny Oliver (.292)... Szymanski had a 2-run homer and 3 RBIs and Oliver smacked a solo shot and batted in 2 runs... it was Oliver's 3rd roundtripper in the playoffs... Beechwood didn't score until the last inning when it got a run off reliever Chris Phillips... Bill Curtis (0-1 3.46) suffered the loss... Valmara slammed him for 5 runs in 5 innings.

Tycobbian Final 4 Series

Allington Spins 2-0 Shutout, Mahaska Up 2-0
For a team whose pitching was suspect, the Mahaska Haymakers are proving the experts wrong so far... for the second successive day they got a strong mound performance... this time it was James Allington who spun a 5-hit shutout to defeat the favored Rolling Hills Reds 2-0 in the second game of the TU Final 4 Series... the Reds have managed only 2 runs and 11 hits in the series so far... the Haymakers only got 2 runs and 6 hits off hard-luck loser Errol Gaudet (1-2 1.37) and have a very surprising 2-0 lead in the series.

Mahaska scored first in the third inning when SS Buddy Christopher (.167) singled, advance to second on a sacrifice and was driven in by CF Pasha Yablonski's (.294) base hit... the Haymakers padded the lead to 2-0 in the sixth... Yablonski got on on an error, stole second, went to third on a groundout and scored on C Bucky O'Brian's (.500) single.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Around the Town in the IPA

VALMARA VIPERS

Owner: Viper Offshore Services, headed by Capt. Stanislaw Lem, Ruthlandia Navy (ret)
GM: J. Jackson Samuel
Manager: Jet Kazmarek

Valmara is located in the northeastern part of Valdar Island, a port town of 81,000 people on Valmara Bay, an excellent deep water harbor. A clash of a warm Valerian Ocean current and a cold Kelnyck Ocean provides for heavy early morning fogs.

The town began as a small fishing village in the 1880s and pretty much remained that way until the late 1930s. Valmara has never been considered a pleasant place to live with rocky soil, thick ocean fogs and moss growing everywhere. If not for its wonderful port, no one in their right mind would live there. The harbor and the port have brought commerce and jobs.The prime industries of Valmara revolve around the sea, be it catching and processing fish, servicing deep-ocean oil rigs or supporting the ten-ship navy of Ruthlandia.

With the threat of world war on the horizon in 1938, the Ruthlandian government established Valdarian Military Academy, a college for cadets and midshipmen studying for future service in the Ruthlandian Navy.

During the Second World War, Ruthlandia was swept up in the maelstrom in the nation's first and only war. The nation sent a regiment of troops and a fighter squadron to Italy, where they served with the 2nd Polish Corps at Monte Cassino. After the war, many Poles opted not to return to their Soviet-occupied nation and several hundred emigrated to Ruthlandia. Many of the ex-soldiers did not go far past Valmara when they got off the boat.

Over the next four decades, many Poles emigrated (or escaped) from behind the Iron Curtain to Ruthlandia. After two generations of migration and birth, more than half of the town is of Polish descent.

The Valmara Vipers are owned by Capt. Stanislaw Lem, RN (ret.) of Viper Offshore Services. He is not related to the noted author of the same name, which often causes non-native reporters much trouble. The owner likes to be called "The Captain" in public. Lem made a small fortune after his navy career operating ships and helicopters that serve offshore oil rigs. Thanks to the recent spike of oil prices, his company's profits have gone through the roof. The Captain had no problem coming up with money to buy a franchise in the Islandian Pro Alliance, the first pro baseball league in the Islands history. Valmara plays in the Ruthlandian Baseball Union in the North Division.

The Valmara Vipers trace their history from the frigate Viper, which had a team in the Naval League in the 1940's. When the amateur league players became semi-pros in the 1950s and worked and played baseball for companies, the Vipers were sponsored by Marine Midland Bank. The Captain played baseball for his service team in the 1960s and was active in the industrial leagues as a sponsor in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Since Captain Lem had been the captain of the frigate Viper in the late 1960s, when it came to naming his IPA franchise, it was a no-brainer. The Valmara Vipers were born.

The Valmara Vipers play their games at historic old War Memorial Stadium. Amateur and industrial league teams have used it for years. It is dedicated to the memory of the 121 men from Ruthlandia killed in action in the Italian campaign during the Second World War. It is a old stadium built for football and soccer, but improvised and used for baseball since 1946. The Captain commissioned noted architectural company HOK to renew the old park into a suitable baseball park. He spared no expense in updating the old stadium with modern technology and conveniences. Yet it still retains the charm of an old stadium.

Game-Day Experience:

Like many successful immigrants, the people of Valmara have fiercely adopted the values of their new nation. Ruthlandia's flag is navy blue and green. In Valmara, it's just taken to a ridiculous extreme. The team’s colors are navy blue and green. So are the water towers, the dockyard cranes, the street signs and the new city hall.

Captain Lem wanted to build a new ballpark, but the city fathers persuaded him to just refurbish the old stadium in the old part of town to be an anchor for a new mixed residential-commercial district. Civic pride got the best of the Captain and he agreed to use War Memorial Stadium. The civic renewal project has been quite successful. Because there is little parking nearby, fans have to walk nearly a quarter mile to the park. On the way, they are treated to a dozen new restaurants, bars, and pubs. The integration into the neighborhood is considered to be charming. The revitalization project has brought a good deal of commerce and energy into the east side of town. The worst of the neighborhood was torn down. The city fathers have expanded the renovations and giving the old town a new look.

Food:
Fans love to scarf down bigos (cabbage and meat stew) and rye bread at cafes adjacent to the ballpark. Inside the park, everyone loves perogis (potato and cheese dumplings). Several years ago, The Captain persuaded Mama Kolski's Restaurant (home of the best perogis in town) to open a stand at his new ballpark and it was a big hit.

Beer sales are strictly regulated by city ordinance to two beers per person. This is due to the locals’ love of pale lagers that are 9% alcohol. Also, for a strange unknown reason, draft Coors is a trendy choice.

Ambiance:
Music at the ballpark is best described as LOUD. The Captain installed a very modern, very powerful sound system at the refurbished stadium.

More than a decade ago, a sound system operator substituted the Village People's "In the Navy" for the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch and started a new tradition. It was a college night at an industrial league game, with plenty of middies from Valdarian Military Academy on hand and many crewmembers from the frigates Viper and Foxx. It was a smash hit, no doubt fueled by a hot autumn evening, cold pale lager and the nine-run Viper lead. Since then, "In the Navy" has been played during the seventh inning stretch of every game save one -- the first game at the revamped War Memorial Stadium. The Captain hates the tune and thought with the public reopening that the club could stop playing that vile song. During the Vipers first exhibition game, the fans nearly rioted and the stadium's debut was marred with a near five-minute interruption of boos before play resumed. Wisely, The Captain made a quick command decision and allowed "In the Navy" to be played during the 8th inning break...and during every game since. Of course, the Captain saw to it that "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was restored to its revered seventh-inning spot.

In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on now, people, make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)

Mascot

The Captain (he considers himself a traditionalist) did not believe in having a mascot until he put his own money into the old ball park. At that point, he had to figure out how to attract every dollar possible from every fan possible. So Vippy and Vippa Viper came into being. They parade around the ballpark entertaining the fans and leading cheers, dances and songs. Viper fans are noted for hissing at the umpires and the opposing teams. The Captain sells a lot Vippy and Vippa apparel and memorabilia...even rents them out to for birthday parties at the stadium, when the team is on the road.

History

Baseball on Valdar Island had a late beginning. Due to the Island topography, climate and lack of mineral deposits it was not as desirable as the Ruthlandian mainland, so it was bypassed by the immigrants until about 1910, when the towns of Valmara, Ancona, Kilkenny, Taranto and Ranford sprang up. From 1910 to 1920, touring amateur baseball teams from the mainland would play games from time to time and the game was introduced slowly. But it did catch on. In a desire to assimilate with the rest of the country, where baseball was like a religion, the Valdarians took to the game with passion and fervor. Amateur baseball clubs and company-based teams began to organize in the 1920s. By the mid-1940's Valdar Island baseball was as good as the Mainland.

The team was first managed by J. Jackson Samuel, a run-of-the-mill industrial league player that became a legendary manager. Samuel broke Jay Loman's record for the most Silver Whale Cups, given to the best amateur team on Valdar Island. Loman was the manager of the Ancona Red Elephants in the 1920s and won nine straight Valdar Island League titles. Samuel won 12 during his amateur career.

Samuel retired and turned the reins over to one of the all-time great Vipers, Jet Kazmarek. who was a .350 career hitter in his 16 IPA seasons. Kazmarek was an 8-time All-Star and won the batting title 9 times.

War Memorial Stadium (1946)
Capacity: 9,595

Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 330
Left Field - 350
Left Center - 380
Center Field - 400
Right Center - 370
Right Field - 330
Right Field Line - 309

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 5, 2026

Ruthlandian Final 4 Series

Valmara Wins 3rd Straight, 2-1 In 12 Innings
The top-seeded club in the Pro Cup playoffs is right smack dab on the verge of elimination... Valmara with marvelous pitching has won all three games of the RU Final 4 with the Beechwood Bobcats, who are favored to take the highly-coveted Pro Cup this season... but Valmara will have none of that talk... the Vipers slithered past the Bobcats 2-1 in a 12-inning masterpiece and now need only one more victory to wrap up the series and head to the Pro Cup Finals against the Tycobbian champ... it was a tough task - Valmara had to rally in the ninth to send the game to overtime - CF Teddy Szymanski (.214) tied the score at 1-all with a clutch double... then C Doug Doolittle (.207) won it in the twelfth with a bases-loaded fielder's choice, scoring Szymanski, who beat the throw home.

In a magnificent pitching duel between Ken DeGraw and Joey Powers for Beechwood and Pavel Volkov and Ivan Guzek for Valmara, both teams were anemic at the plate... the Vipers managed only 4 hits and the Bobcats 5... DeGraw worked 9 innings, gave up just 3 hits and a run in the ninth, while Volkov went 9 innings, permitted one run on 4 hits, fanned 6 and walked just one... both closers Powers and Guzek pitched 2 scoreless innings... Wallace Hanson (1-0 3.38) got the win with a runless twelfth and Roy Pitts (0-1) got the loss.

Tycobbian Final 4 Series

Reds Win 3-1, Still Trail Haymakers
Sharp pitching continued in the Tycobbian Final 4 Series, but his time it was Rolling Hills getting the best of underdog Mahaska 3-1 in game three at Mahaska. 25-year-old rookie righthander Kenny Leonard (2-1 3.57) hurled 8 solid innings for the win and stopped the Haymakers on just one run and 7 hits with 3 Ks and a walk... closer Alfonso Gonzales put down Mahaska in order in the ninth to secure the verdict... losing pitcher Troy King (1-2 2.36) had a rocky start, allowing 3 runs in the first two frames, then blanking the Reds the rest of the way... King walked 5, fanned 8 and permitted only 4 hits... not only did King lose the game, he severely injured his arm and might be lost for the rest of the playoffs.

In the opening frame, a lead-off walk to RF Skip Greene (.179), double by 2B Kendall Smith (.342) and a single by 1B Billy Christianson (.256) produced Rolling Hills first run... a balk gave them run number 2... a walk and an infield error put runners on second and third in the top of the second... Greene plated run number 3 when he grounded out... in the last of the second 1B Paul Davies' (.400) single and SS Buddy Christopher's (.250) double produced Mahaska's only score.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Ruthlandian Final 4 Series

Bobcats Alive, Barely Win In 11th
Valmara had its chance in game four of the RU Final 4 to put the Beechwood Bobcats away for the season, but they couldn't finish them off... the Bobcats rallied to tie the score at 4-4 in the top of the ninth and then won it in the eleventh 6-4... it was Beechwood's first victory in the series after 3 defeats in a row... RF Jojo Davis was the hero... Davis sent the game into extra innings with a crucial ninth-inning sac fly and then doubled in the deciding run in the eleventh... Joey Powers (2-0 1.59) notched a shaky win, giving up 3 walks and a hit in 2 innings, but no runs... losing pitcher Chris Phillips (0-1 5.06) was lashed for 3 hits and 2 walks in his only inning.

Both clubs had 10 hits apiece... Davis (.444) had 2 doubles and 2 RBIs to lead the winners... 2B Stan Tipton (.219) also chipped in with 2 hits and 2 RBIs... CF Teddy Szymanski (.273) paced the Vipers with 3 hits and LF Sonny Oliver (.333) had 2... the starting pitchers did well... Beechwood's ace Maury Patterson tossed 8 frames, surrendered 9 hits and 4 runs - just 2 of them earned - struck out 6 and issued 2 walks... Valmara' Clem Carmouche permitted 3 runs on 5 hits in 8 innings, fanned 5 and walked 3... Carmouche left his club a 4-3 lead, but they blew it.

Tycobbian Final 4 Series

Kafelnikov Brilliant, Haymakers Edge Reds 1-0
The upstart Mahaska Haymakers got another terrific outing from Sammy Kafelnikov to edge heavily-favored Rolling Hills in game four of the Tycobbian Final 4... Kafelnikov was brilliant and he had to be to whip the Reds ace Sal Jordan... the Haymakers prevailed by a 1-0 score... not only did Kafelnikov (.300) pitch a great game, he knocked in the only run with an infield single in the bottom of the seventh... Kafelnikov (3-1 2.79) yielded only 3 singles, fanned 3 and walked none... Jordan (2-3 2.72) was sharp, too, holding the Haymakers to just 4 hits, struck out 5 and walked 3... Mahaska will try pull the upset of the playoffs tomorrow afternoon at home... one more win and they play for the Pro Cup for the first time in the team's 25-year history... Rolling Hills will have to mount a remarkable and unlikely comeback and win the last three games to keep its season going.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Around the Town in the IPA

Beechwood Bobcats

Owner: Bob Catlin
GM/Manager: Bret George

Beechwood is an agrarian town of 118,000 just south of the Central Plains on the east coast of Ruthlandia near the Valerian Ocean. The town was settled by a group of American abolitionists from the North and the South, who foresaw the coming Civil War and decided to emigrate to Ruthlandia, a country free from the rigors of slavery and religious intolerance.

Farming and tourism are the main industries in Beechwood. Scenic harbors, pristine beaches with white sand, beautiful golf courses, plantation homes with formal gardens of bygone days and miles and miles of cottonfields are ever present. Massive colonial mansions along tree-lined and brick-paved streets in the old historic district. Honeysuckle and jasmine fragrances in the air with blooms of azaleas and camellias everywhere. The mild climate makes Beechwood a wonderful town for tourists and vacationers. At night wrought iron gas street lights illuminate the downtown area know as the Old City Market, which is filled with fine department stores, upscale and posh hotels, nostalgic in the architecture of yesteryear and food for all tastes and budgets.

Beechwood is also the home of the Beechwood Bobcats of the Islandian Pro Alliance. They are named after their fine owner, Bob Catlin, one of the most respected baseball men throughout the Islands and one of baseball's best people. An outstanding ballplayer in his day, Catlin began playing ball for one of the company teams in the area, eventually went to work for them, rose in its ranks, ended up owning the company, and now own a team in the IPA.

The Bobcats play at City Park Stadium. It is known for its fine food specialities like crab soup and oyster pie. And of course, peanuts, crackerjacks, cotton candy, popcorn, snowballs (made especially creamy with rich condensed milk), hot dogs, hamburgers, fingerlicking good southern fried chicken, cokes and beer are at the concession stands, too.

Bob Catlin, the Bobcats owner, is an accomplished clarinet player and often sits in with the Bobcats, a Dixieland band that entertains at all Beechwood games.

Bret George, an outstanding hitter and third baseman in industrial league circles, is the Bobcats' GM and Manager.

City Park Stadium (1973)
Capacity: 8,500

Dimensions:
LF LINE 330
LF 345
LCF 375
CF 402
RCF 375
RF 345
RF LINE 330

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Ruthlandian Final 4 Series

Bobcats Out On A Lem, Vipers Wins Series
It's over in five games... in a mild upset, Valmara is the Ruthlandian Union champion... the Vipers knocked off the Pro Cup favorite Beechwood in just five games with truly outstanding pitching... in game five Teddy Lem (3-0 1.80) subdued the Bobcats 3-2, limiting them to 6 hits, striking out 4 and walking 4... Bill Curtis gave Beechwood a 2-1 lead going into the ninth, but Roy Pitts (0-2) couldn't hold it and suffered the loss... 4 consecutive singles by LF Sonny Oliver (.353), CF Teddy Szymanski (.270), 2B Ron Freiberg (.200) and 1B James McCall (.273) won the game... Freiberg tied it up and McCall batted in the tie-breaker.

Curtis worked a strong game, went 8 innings, gave up only 1 run and 5 hits with 5 Ks and 2 walks... Valmara had the advantage in hits 9 to 6 with Oliver and RF Chris Michel (.222) getting 2 each... Bobcat CF Vic Valenti (.135) put them ahead with a solo homer in the top of the second... Michel tripled and Oliver batted him in with a base hit to tie it up at 1-1 in the last of the fourth... Beechwood went back in front 2-1 in the seventh on Curtis' (.143) RBI single.

Tycobbian Final 4 Series

Mahaska Skims By RH Reds 5-4, Takes TU Final 4
The surprising Mahaska Haymakers disposed of the favored Rolling Hills Reds in the TU Final 4, taking game five 5-4 and the series four games to one... Mahaska will go up against the Valmara Vipers for the IPA Pro Cup championship... in the bottom of the seventh Haymaker 1B Paul Davies singled in LF Mickey Hennessey from third to snap a 4-4 tie and put Mahaska ahead to stay and eliminate the Reds, the number two seed in the playoffs. The Haymakers were seeded last among the 8 playoff clubs in The Islandian Times Pro Cup poll.

Both teams tied with 10 hits apiece... Hennessey (.175) doubled, tripled, homered and scored 3 times to spark the win... the Reds started off great with 3 runs in the top of the second, highlighted by 3B Jeff Booker's (.188) RBI double, C Don Schexnayder's (.300) RBI single and RF Skip Greene's (.174) sacrifice fly... Mahaska quickly knotted the score in the bottom half of the frame when Hennessey tripled and scored on an infield error, SS Bill Christopher (.286) singled in 3B Lyndon Washington (.139) and CF Pasha Yablonski (.244) got a sac fly to score Davies (.375)... Hennessey's roundtripper in the fourth put the Haymakers back in the lead 4-3... and 1B Billy Christianson (.234) tied it up again with a solo homer for the Reds.

In a series dominated by pitching, it took a back seat in this one... starter James Allington (4-0 1.39) struggled, but picked up the victory... Allington worked into the eighth and was knocked about for 4 runs and 9 hits, while fanning 5 and issuing 4 walks... Andy Slavyansky got the final 2 outs in the eighth and closer Viktor Stravinsky easily retired the Reds in the ninth for the save, his 5th of the postseason... Rolling Hills starter Errol Gaudet (1-3 1.62) lost it and was his own worst enemy... his error led to 3 unearned runs... Gaudet tossed 7 frames and permitted 10 hits with 3 strikeouts.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Around the Town in the IPA

ROLLING HILLS REDS

Owner: Lemroh Meat Company
GM/Manager: Matty Christianson

Rollings Hills has a population of 78,000 and is located in the west central part of Tycobbia and was originally settled by the Kewanna Indians. "kewanna" means "hills that rise and fall" in their language. That is exactly what the landscape looks like here...gentle, rolling hills populated with sporadic groves of birch trees and acre after acre of cattle, dairy, pig, chicken and agricultural farms. Crops include wheat, oats and corn, potatoes and vegetables. In town are the stockyards and meat and grain processing plants. The population is mainly Americans and Brits with only a few Kewannas remaining.

Rolling Hills is an oldtime middle class town with wooden storefronts and bricks streets, lined with gas lamps and pedestrian walkways. No cars are allowed in the midtown area.

It is the home of the Rolling Hills Reds of the IPA's Tycobbian Union West Division. The Reds play at Midtown Base Ball Grounds, a relic from the early days of baseball. Built in 1907, it is surrounded by birchwood trees in a picturesque park area of town, where families can picnic and enjoy strolls, bicycle rides and boat rides on the park ponds, all amid the peaceful shade trees. A quaint aspect of the ballpark is that the power alleys are deeper than center field. They measure 425 feet, while to dead center it is 410 feet. It takes quite a blast for righthanders to get it out...350 down the line in left field and 375 in straightaway left. However, the lefthanded hitters love it...only 320 down the right field line and 350 to straightaway right .

The Lemroh family owns the team as well as being the owners of the stockyards and meat processing plants. The concessions stands are unique in design. All are set up like soda fountains, complete with stools. They serve up tasty hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, ice cream, sundaes, banana splits, thick shakes and malts.

A Dixieland band provides the music between innings and helps the Rolling Hillians cheer their Reds to victory. Many times throughout the game the fans will dance the Charleston. During the seventh inning stretch you get a rousing Dixieland version of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".

The GM and Manager of the Rolling Hills Reds is the legendary pitcher, Matty Christianson, one of the most revered players and managers in Tycobbian baseball history.

Midtown Ballpark (1907)
Capacity: 6,850

Dimensions:
LF Line 350
LF 375
LCF 425
CF 410
RCF 425
RF 350
RF Line 320

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 8, 2026

Haymakers-Vipers Kick Off Pro Cup Sat
It's an unlikely matchup - no one expected the Mahaska Haymakers and the Valmara Vipers to be playing in the IPA Pro Cup Finals - but here they are. Mahaska bewildered the experts by upsetting both Ginza and Rolling Hills, while Valmara defeated two higher seeds, strong St. John and powerhouse Beechwood. Both the Crusaders and Bobcats led the entire IPA with 98 victories. Low seeds are not supposed to get this far in the postseason. Valmara was the sixth pick in The Islandian Times Pro Cup poll and Mahaska was the eighth choice. The opening game will be this Saturday afternoon at War Memorial Stadium in Valmara. It will be Teddy Lem (19-11 2.96) starting for the favored Vipers and Sammy Kafelnikov (18-14 3.49) for the underdog Haymakers.

The Vipers have much more postseason experience. They have made the Pro Cup playoffs 7 times, but have never won a Pro Cup. Twice Valmara has been the Pro Cup runner-up, in 2003 the Vipers were swept by champ Turon (TU South) and in 2023 they fell to champ Tuckanarra (TU East) in six games. On two occasions the Vipers lost to Pro Cup runner-up Sugar Valley. Red Bluff defeated the Rattlers in 2004 and Tuckanarra knocked them off in 2024.

Mahaska has appeared only two times in the Pro Cup playoffs and didn't get far. The Oxford Red Caps (TU East) eliminated them in the TU First Round in 2002 and Pro Cup runner-up Bay St. Clair whipped them in the 2015 TU Final 4. The Buccaneers were beaten by Taranto in the Pro Cup Finals.

Manager Jet Kazmarek will rely on his pitching corps to bring home the Pro Cup. Valmara was outstanding in the regular season with a super 2.96 team ERA (6th). So far in the postseason they are up a little with a 3.26 ERA. Starters Pavel Volkov (23-9 3.14), Teddy Lem (19-11 2.96) and Clem Carmouche (18-12 3.00) give him a solid rotation. The Viper closer Ivan Guzek (7-2 0.72) also had an extraordinary season. In the playoffs Guzek has 3 saves, 5 appearances and an excellent 1.29 ERA. Lem (3-0 1.80) and Volkov (2-0 1.88) have been extra sharp in the postseason. Carmouche (2-1 2.66) has done well, too.

Offensively Kazmarek depends on CF Teddy Szymanski (.304/16/95/89), LF Sonny Oliver (.286/17/86/72) and RF Chris Michel (.242/11/58/110/33 SB). Playoff leaders are Oliver with a .353 BA, 3 homers and 10 RBIs, 1B James McCall with a .273 BA, 2 home runs and 9 RBIs and Szymanski with a .270 BA, 1 homer and 5 RBIs. Part of the problem in the postseason is Valmara had to face two of the best pitching staffs in the IPA in the first two rounds. Mahaska can't compare to St. John and Beechwood. In the playoffs the Vipers have a poor .226 BA. In the regular campaign it was a respectable .256 (8th).

During the regular season the Haymakers posted a 3.57 ERA and were ranked 11th in the Tycobbian Union, but Rusty Tanussa's mound staff has really stepped it up in the playoffs with a fantastic 2.02 ERA. James Allington was 20-13 with a 3.62 in the season, but is 4-0 with a great 1.39 ERA in the playoffs. Sammy Kafelnikov compiled an 18-14 mark with a 3.49 ERA, however in the playoffs, he is 3-1 with a fine 2.79 ERA. Mahaska lost its number three starter Troy King due to an injury in the TU Final 4. King was 1-2 with a 2.36 ERA in the postseason, but 19-13 with a 4.07 ERA during the year. Number four starter Aino Vainmaa (17-13 3.94) will step in for King in the Pro Cup Finals. Vainmaa has been called on only one time in the playoffs this year. Vainmaa worked 3 innings and gave up 1 run for a 3.00 ERA. Haymaker closer Viktor Stravinsky, who was 7-6 with 28 saves and a fine 1.69 ERA, has been perfect in 6 relief appearances in the playoffs. He has chalked up 5 saves and given up no runs.

Mahaska hit much better in the regular season, led by RF Travis Tuttle (.319/33/102/92), 2B Todd Tarkovsky (.280/18/65/72), C Bucky O'Brian (.279/19/71/70) and CF Pasha Yablonsk (.277/6/48/106/65 SB). In the postseason O'Brian is batting .480, but the rest are not hitting their weight. To whip the Vipers Tanussa needs his offense to get re-energized. They hit .263 (5th) during the year, but only .218 in the playoffs. The Haymakers have more power in their lineup. They poked 130 homers in the season, but have only 2 in the postseason. Valmara went deep only 74 times (30th), but have 6 roundtrippers in the playoffs.

Pro Cup Outlook:
Valmara is the superior team... the Vipers should win in 5 or 6 games... Valmara will get some runs against Mahaska and has the pitching to stop the Haymakers.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 10, 2026

2026 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 1

6 Viper Pitchers Too Tough In Pro Cup Opener
It was strange and weird ballgame in the the opening game of the 2026 Pro Cup Finals at War Memorial Stadium in Valmara - the Vipers had to use 6 pitchers to win a 3-1 victory over Mahaska... 19-game winner Teddy Lem departed after the first inning with an arm injury... manager Jet Kazmarek had to go to his bullpen very early and got a superb job from 4 relievers, who blanked the Haymakers on 2 hits for next seven innings as the Vipers built us a 3-0 lead after 8 innings... Frank Favazzo (1-0 0.00) got credit for the victory with help from Johnny Vasylenko, Chris Phillips and Wallace Hansen... closer Ivan Guzek was tagged for a run in the ninth, but still got his 4th save... the losing team only used one pitcher... Sammy Kafelnikov (3-2 2.92) hurled a strong game in defeat, went the distance, permitting 3 runs and 10 hits with 5 Ks... Mahaska managed only 5 hits.

RF Chris Michel (.275) led Valmara with 3 hits and 2 runs batted in... the Vipers put a pair of runs on the scoreboard in the third frame on Michel's RBI single and SS Tyler Ferguson's (.225) sac fly... Michel's single plated another run in the sixth, making it 3-0... Mahaska got its only score in the ninth on a lead-off triple by 2B Ted Tarkovsky (.186) and a single by C Bucky O'Brian (.448)... After that Guzek settled down and got the final three outs.

After the game Valmara officials told the press that Teddy Lem would miss the rest of the playoffs. He was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a dead arm syndrome. Recovery should take a few weeks. Manager Jet Kazmarek said number four starter Johnny Vasylenko would replace Lem in the rotation... in 15 starts Vasylenko was 8-7 in the regular season with a 3.19 ERA... He has been in the bullpen in the postseason. Mahaska has also lost a starter with a ruptured tendon suffered in the 3-1 loss to Rolling Hills in the TU Final 4... Troy King was 19-13 with a 4.07 ERA... King was the number three man in the rotation and was 1-2 in the postseason with a 2.36 ERA in 3 starts... The number four starter Arno Vainmaa (17-13 3.94) is his replacement.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 10, 2026

2026 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 2

Vipers Nip Haymakers 7-6, Ahead 2-0 in Finals
Game two of the IPA Pro Cup Finals was a seesaw affair and finally won 7-6 by Valmara on a game-winning single by Teddy Szymanski in the last of the ninth... Szymanski (.283) cracked 3 hits and drove in 3 runs... he also had a solo homer and an RBI triple to pace the Vipers 11-hit attack... Valmara moved ahead of Mahaska two games to none in the best-of-seven Pro Cup Finals... the Haymakers had 14 hits, but stranded 11 baserunners... LF Mickey Hennessey (.224) collected 4 singles and batted in a pair of runs... and 2B Todd Tarkovsky (.188) hit a 2-run homer in defeat.

Valmara closer Ivan Guzek (1-0 3.00) blew a 6-5 lead in the ninth, but ended up with the win... Viktor Stravinsky (0-1 1.42) came on in the ninth and lost it... it was the first run he gave up in the postseason this year... Pavel Volkov started for the Vipers and James Allington got the call for the Haymakers... neither were effective with Volkov allowing 5 runs in 6 innings and Allington 6 in 6-plus frames.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 10, 2026

2026 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 3

Valmara May Sweep, Trounce Mahaska 8-4 in Game 3
Valmara continue to bombard shell-shocked Mahaska in game three of the Pro Cup Finals... the Vipers bashed out 12 hits in an 8-4 trouncing and are nearing a sweep in the series... Valmara has gotten double-digit hits in each game so far and captured the first three games... Everybody in the starting line-up had at least one hit, sparked by 2B Ron Freiberg (.275) with 2 hits and 3 runs batted in and C Doug Doolittle (.224) with 2 RBIs... the Vipers ran up an 8-1 lead after 7 innings... a 5-run seventh dealt the Haymakers a knockout blow.

Clem Carmouche (3-1 3.13) hung tough for the victory, giving up 4 runs and 9 hits in 8 innings... Warren Hansen finished up with a scoreless ninth for him... Aino Vainmaa (0-1 6.75) was blasted for 8 runs in 6-plus innings and took the loss... CF Pasha Yablonski (.288) delivered 3 hits for the Haymakers... SS Lyndon Washington (.149) and C Tony Brinkerhoff (.308) batted in 2 runs apiece... Brinkerhoff had 2-run homer.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 13, 2026

2026 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 4

Valmara Wins First Pro Cup, Sweeps Mahaska
The Valmara Vipers finally succeeded - they captured the IPA Pro Cup for the first time in the club history... It was the third try as the Vipers had fallen in the Finals in 2003 and 2023... and they did it in style by sweeping all four games with the Mahaska Haymakers... But game four wasn't a cakewalk... Valmara had to rally in the late innings to tie the score at 2-2 in the seventh, took a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth, blew a lead in the bottom of the ninth, allowing Mahaska to tie it at 3-3, then blew the Haymakers away in the 10th with a 3-run explosion to cop a 6-3 decision and win the prestigious IPA Pro Cup... back-up 1B Roy Haley (.444) doubled in the game-winner and 3B Bobby Greb (.286) added 2 insurance runs with a double... Ivan Guzek (2-0 3.27) won it in relief of Johnny Vasylenko and Viktor Stravinsky (0-2 5.14) lost it in relief of Sammy Kafelnikov... Vasylenko and Kafelnikov gave it all they had and were effective... Vasylenko limited the Haymakers to just 2 runs and 3 hits in 8 innings... it was all even at 2-2 when he left the game... Kafelnikov tossed 9 innings and gave up 3 runs on 7 hits... for the fourth straight game Valmara got double-digit hits with 10 hits to Mahaska's 6... Greb was the big gun for the Vipers with 3-for-4 and 4 RBIs, including 2 doubles and a homer... CF Pasha Yablonski (.297) paced the Haymakers with 2 hits and 2 runs batted in.

Viper manager Jet Kazmarek told the press, "There's nothing like winning a Pro Cup. You don't get many chances to do it. This was my third time around and we finally got it." Kazmarek played in the 2003 Pro Cup and managed the Vipers in the 2023 Pro Cup and lost both of them. "It's been a great season. The guys played well all year long and even better in the playoffs."

Losing skipper Rudy Tanussa assessed it this way, "My Haymakers made a lot of hay in the postseason. We did quite well for an eighth seed. I'm not disappointed with our season at all. Second-best is not as bad as people make it out to be. Bottom line: they hit and we didn't... they pitched and we didn't... end of story."

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 15, 2026

Valmara's Lem Pro Cup MVP Pick
Valmara's great young right-hander Teddy Lem stood head-and-shoulders above everybody in the Pro Cup playoffs. No one else truly stood out in the Pro Cup Most Valuable Player poll this year conducted by The Islandian Times. The 22-year-old Lem went 3-0 in 4 starts and chalked up a very impressive 1.76 ERA. Lem was almost a unanimous choice. Valmara's fine left fielder Sonny Oliver was a distant second in the poll. Mahaska pitchers James Allington and Sammy Kafelnikov were third and fourth in the voting with Viper second sacker Ron Freiberg coming in fifth.

Oliver sparked Valmara with a .319 batting average with 15 hits in 14 playoff games, 3 homers, 10 RBIs and 7 runs scored, along with 8 walks. Allington was 4-0 in 5 starts with a fine 2.54 ERA. Kafelnikov posted a 3-2 record with a 2.93 ERA in 6 starting assignments. Freiberg had a good postseason with a .302 mark, 6 doubles, 7 runs batted in, 9 runs and 11 walks.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 16, 2026

TU Announces 2026 Top Gloves
On the defensive side of the game pitchers always get the glory, but the best pitchers know their success hinges on the gloves behind them. The defensive dream team in the Tycobbian Union for 2026 has been announced. Lots of newcomers to the team this season with only one repeat performer on the squad. Bayview's super second baseman Tommy Shore was named for the third time in his career. First baseman Roger Lanier of St. John was the only rookie selected in The Islandian Times poll.

The Golden Glove Award trophies will be presented to these outstanding fielders:
Pitcher: Jules Delhomme (La Claire Lynx) (15-14 3.21) .981 FA
Catcher: Bucky O'Brian (Mahaska Haymakers) .279 BA/.990 FA/3 PB/32.4% RTO
First Baseman: Johnny Ostendorf (Kenwood Wildcats) .251 BA/.998 FA
Second Baseman: Tommy Shore (Bayview Vikings) .259 BA/.981 FA
Third Baseman: Sandy Coburn (Fairfax Frogs) .290 BA/.965 FA
Shortstop: Kurt Pankewicz (South Fork Stallions) .307 BA/.977 FA
Left Fielder: Wayne Kenney (Bayview Vikings) .318 BA/.993 FA
Center Fielder: Joe DeLucca (Summerland Sunsets) .281 BA/.996 FA
Right Fielder: Lorne Evans (Southport Sun Sox) .276 BA/.983 FA

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 17, 2026

RU Names Golden Glove Award Choices for 2026
"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 2026 have been tabbed as the Ruthlandian Union's Golden Glove Award winners. Travis Glass of Elnora and Kyle Hunt of Ranford were honored for the second time in their careers. First baseman Roger Lanier of St. John and Ken Arby of Beechwood were the only rookies named to the team this season. All others were first-time winners.

Here are this year's best:
Pitcher: Ken Arby (Beechwood Bobcats) (12-5 3.27) 1.000 FA
Catcher: Kyle Hunt (Ranford Bulls) .283 BA/.993 FA/6 PB/60% RTO
First Baseman: Roger Lanier (St. John Crusaders) .305 BA/.993 FA
Second Baseman: Eddie Darby (Glasco Athletics) .275 BA/.990 FA
Third Baseman: Hector Cuellar (San Dimas Rancheros) .291 BA/.979 FA
Shortstop: Larry Romney (Eastshore Elegants) .284 BA/976 FA
Left Fielder: Larry Lowe (Eastshore Elegants) .250 BA/.996 FA
Center Fielder: Roy Hobbs (Waleska Westerners) .346 BA/.993 FA
Right Fielder: Travis Glass (Elnora All-Stars) .247 BA/.991 FA

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 18, 2026

Kierkegaard Best TU Newcomer
This year's Rookie of the Year Award honors went to 21-year-old Mike Kierkegaard of Colchester. In his debut season in the Tycobbian Union he ended up with a 19-7 record in 36 starts. Kierkegaard chalked up a 2.55 earned run average, while hurling 275 innings, striking out 242 and walking 137.

Runner-up in The Islandian Times rookie poll was Ozarka's fine freshman third sacker Nick Rembert, who batted a terrific .332, fifth best in the league, hit 12 homers, drove in 81 runs and scored 80 times. Number three in the balloting was Ginza's Sadaharu Uchiyama. The 18-year-old left fielder played excellent defense for the Ninjas, hit .286 with 10 roundtrippers, 86 RBIs and 80 runs scored. Uchiyama also stole 17 bases and is the son of Ginza manager Huroko Uchiyama.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 19, 2026

Lem Top RU Rookie

The Valmara Vipers standout pitcher Teddy Lem is the recipient of the 2026 Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year Award. The 22-year-old starter registered a 19-11 record this season in 34 starts. Over 265 innings he gave up 211 hits, struck out 189 and issued 120 walks as he held the opposition to a .223 batting average and fashioned a 2.96 ERA. Lem led the Vipers to the RU North division crown. Valmara went all the way in the playoffs and took its first ever IPA Pro Cup. Lem was named the Pro Cup MVP by The Islandian Times with a 3-0 record and a sparkling 1.73 ERA. A great finish for a great rookie year.

St. John's Roger Lanier was second in the vote. The 20-year-old first baseman posted a .305 batting average with 20 home runs, 94 RBIs, 92 runs and stole 16 bases. He also won a Golden Glove and was a vital ingredient in the Crusaders fine season. They won the RU South for the first time in 13 years. Winding up third was Kilkenny outfielder Ronnie Roussell. He missed out on the batting title by just 2 percentage points. Roussell batted .344 with 20 homers, 81 runs batted in and 77 runs scored. Waleska's super center fielder Roy Hobbs was the batting champ with a .346 mark.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Elliott Nabs 12th Golden Bat
Wonders never cease when it comes to High Mesa's legendary slugger Jack Elliott. Not slacking off a bit at age 32, the Cowboys great first baseman led the Tycobbian Union for the 9th time with 47 homers, 9th time in hits with 205, 8th time in runs with 135, came in third in the batting race with a .344 average and and tied for third with 116 RBIs. No wonder Elliott picked up his 12th Golden Bat Award this season. High Mesa also had a very good year, finishing third in the toughest division in the IPA, the TU East, with an 87-67 record.

Steve Burns of the Colchester Elites put up a pretty good fight for the Golden Bat award, hitting .350, which was second to Roland Garza of Bayview, who batted .358 and took the TU batting title. Burns, along with the TU Rookie of the Year Mike Kierkegaard, were prime elements in the Elites winding up a very close second to Ginza in the TU South pennant race. Burns slugged 28 homers out of the park, drove in 97 runs and scored 107 times.

The number three vote-getter in The Islandian Times poll was another superstar first baseman Marty Blake, who had another rock solid season in White River and sparked the Rascals to a first division berth in the TU North with a .329 batting average, 31 roundtrippers, 98 runs batted in and 92 runs scored.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Roy Hobbs Picked RU's Best Hitter
It's been a another great year of triumph for veteran Roy Hobbs of the Waleska Westerners as he hit his way to the 2026 Ruthlandian Union Golden Bat Award. This is the fifth time in his illustrious career to win it. The 33-year-old veteran compiled a league-leading .346 average and .407 on-base percentage by putting together 204 hits, 36 doubles, 16 triples, 24 home runs and 61 walks. He also scored 116 times and drove in 92 runs. Hobbs topped the RU in hits for the 8th time and won the batting crown for the 4th time. And for the first time in his career the standout center fielder won a Golden Glove. This season Hobbs helped Waleska to a second place finish in the RU South.

Belair Beach's splendid first baseman Kees Draeger came in second in the Golden Bat competition with a .323 BA, 35 home runs, 111 RBIs and 100 runs scored. Hobbs' teammate in Waleska, 26-year-old left fielder Loco Dillinger, had the third highest number of votes. He was quite productive for the Westerners with 29 homers, 101 runs batted in, 102 runs and a .288 BA.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 23, 2026

TU's #1 Pitcher Picked for 2026
The Tycobbian Union Golden Arm Award went to Sal Jordan, the 35-year-old Rolling Hills ace right-hander. Jordan crafted an ERA of 2.66 as he won 24 games, dropped 12, fanned 189 and gave up 126 walks in 321 innings of work. Jordan fired 3 shutouts and completed 22 games. He is a first-time honoree. Jordan paced the Reds to the TU West division flag.

In the runner-up spot was South Fork's four-year veteran Gary Price. The 27-year-old righty won 20 games for the third season in a row, chalking up a 24-13 mark with an impressive 2.63 ERA. Price threw 5 shutouts and fanned 208 batters in 312 innings. The Stallions ended up second in the TU East race. Ginza's Daniel Ferguson wound up third in The Islandian Times poll. Ferguson, a 25-year-old southpaw, was 21-9 with a strong 2.45 ERA, 5 shutouts, 213 Ks in 289 innings and 20 complete games. Ginza won the TU South this year.