ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

To make certain that Lem was the first player on a runner-up Pro Cup team to win the Pro Cup MVP, I went back and checked out all of the Pro Cup MVPs.

I enjoyed the research. It was good to relive some of the great moments in the IPA past.

Wow, I think there were record views today.

232 views.

Thanks to all of you.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, October 13, 2030

Vipers Gronek, Rascals Johnston Top IPA Rooks
The Islandian Pro Alliance announced the 2030 Rookies of the Year today. Valmara's Garry Gronek took the honor in the Ruthlandian Union, while White River's Davey Johnston was the selection in the Tycobbian Union.

Gronek had a big hand in Valmara winning the RU North with a 15-10 record. Gronek, a 22-year-old right-hander, finished with a 3.38 ERA in 27 starts. The RU runner-up was Gronek's teammate and first baseman Jerry Rembert, who batted .282 with 21 homers and 70 runs batted in. He also scored 80 runs and stole 18 bases in 135 games. Coming in third in the balloting was Beechwood left fielder Herb Douglas. He posted a .296 batting average with 33 doubles, 11 triples, 6 homers, 60 RBIs and scored 72 runs, helping the Bobcats to a fourth-place finish in the RU East.

The TU Rookie of the Year Davey Johnston didn't join the White River Rascals until June, but the 24-year-old hurler soon made his presence known. Johnston was one of the few bright spots in a poor season for White River. The Rascals came in last in the TU North, but Johnston rang up a fine 12-7 mark with a brilliant IPA-leading 2.10 ERA. Ozarka center fielder Lonnie Gillespie was number two in the Rookie poll. Gillespie sparkled at bat with a .303 BA, 37 doubles, 18 triples and one homer. He topped the IPA in triples, played in 127 games and scored 86 runs and batted in 58. The Naturals won the TU East division title. Number three in the voing was Blue Lake's talented third sacker Matt Thompson, one of the reasons the Blue Sox captured the TU North. Thompson chalked up a .291 average this year, hit 11 roundtrippers and drove in 62 runs and tallied 65, while participating in 138 games.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, October 14, 2030

Golden Bats Awarded By IPA
Two familiar names are repeat winners of the prestigious IPA Golden Bats. Roy Hobbs of the Waleska Westerners was presented the Ruthlandian Union Golden Bat Award for the seventh time in his illustrious career and Lorne Evans of the Southport Sun Sox was honored for the second time with the Tycobbian Golden Bat trophy.

Waleska's superstar outfielder Roy Hobbs scorched the opposition with a .342 batting average, while playing in 150 games. The 37-year-old Hobbs poled 35 homers and drove in 138 runs to lead the Westerners to a very close second-place finish to Grand City in the RU South pennant race. They were beaten out by just one game.

Hobbs' talented teammate Loco Dillinger came in second in the Golden Bat competition. Dillinger also had an impressive season with a .319 average, 42 homers, 118 RBIs and 119 runs. Third in the balloting was LaGrange's center fielder Russell Watkins, who batted .326 with 35 roundtrippers, 103 RBIs and 103 runs scored. Watkins was a vital force in sparking the Sports to the runner-up spot in the RU North. They lost the pennant by a game to Valmara, the Pro Cup finalist.

It was a magical year for the Sun Sox's Lorne Evans, who won the TU Triple Crown as well as the TU Golden Bat. Evans led the IPA with a .386 batting average and 59 home runs. The 25-year-old outfielder also led the Tycobbian Union with 134 runs batted in and the IPA with 140 runs scored. Evans' club wound up third in the TU South. The Southport slugger was only the fourth player in IPA history to accomplish the Triple Crown feat. High Mesa's Jack Elliott did it twice, in 2017 and 2021. The other two were Karol Zodoka of the East Point Panthers and Fairfax's Dane Wesner. Zodoka did it in 2002 and Wesner in 2010.

Colchester's Jim Lewellan wound up second in the Golden Bat voting. Lewellan smashed 45 homers for the Elites, scored 112 times, drove in 131 runs and hit .288 in a superlative season. Colchester ended up in the second spot in the TU South standings, losing out to Cape Coral. The third-highest vote-getter was Ginza's gifted center fielder Candy Cornwall, who posted a .345 BA with 36 home runs, 124 RBIs and 109 runs.

[Simmo13]

Good to see Loco Dillinger tearing it up!!

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by Simmo13

Good to see Loco Dillinger tearing it up!!

Loco Dillinger and Roy Hobbs are quite a pair in Waleska's lineup.

At age 30 Loco is an 8-year vet with a career .316 BA, 279 homers... Dillinger averages over 30 homers and 115 RBIs yearly... won 2 RU MVP in 2028 and 2029... also won Golden Bats those years, too... was RU Rookie of the Year in 2023... 5-time All-Star.

One of the all-time IPA greats, 18-year vet, Hobbs is a 15-time All-Star, twice a Gold Glover... career .346 BA with 579 homers and 2000 RBIs and 2000 runs... averages 30 homers and 115 RBIs yearly... twice RU MVP in 2026 and 2030.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 15, 2030

Lima and Kirkpatrick Golden Arm Winners
Two youngsters hauled in the IPA Golden Arms this year. 23-year-old right-hander Joaquin Lima of the San Dimas Rancheros garnered the Ruthlandian trophy, while Blue Lake's 25-year-old Doug Kirkpatrick won in the Tycobbian Union.

Lima fashioned a 21-10 mark this season with a 2.49 ERA to lead San Dimas to the fourth spot in the RU South. In his four seasons Lima has compiled a standout 80-53 record. Ancona's Razzy Angelis came in second in the poll as he posted a 22-14 record with a 2.49 ERA for the Red Elephants, who finished third in the RU North. Killara Bardo was third in the Golden Arm balloting. He crafted a 21-13 record and a 2.85 ERA and paced Wynnamac to the RU East division title.

Kirkpatrick is a 6-year veteran in the IPA. He claimed the Tycobbian Golden Arm Award with a 22-9 record and a 2.92 ERA for the pennant-winning Blue Lake Blue Sox, who took the TU North. Kirkpatrick really blossomed this year. Overall he is only 82-84 in his career. He was also voted Pro Cup Co-MVP along with his teammate Billy Trakas. The Golden Arm runner-up to Kirkpatrick was southpaw Mackie McGinnity of the Colchester Elites. McGinnity was 22-7 with a 3.01 ERA and he sparked Colchester to a second-place finish in the TU South. San Alejo's Roland Oates was the third-highest votegetter in the poll. He compiled an 18-7 mark with a 2.77 ERA. His Montaneros wound up fourth in the TU South this season.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, October 16, 2030

Waleska's Hobbs, Southport's Evans IPA MVPs
The IPA Golden Bat winners Lorne Evans and Roy Hobbs really cleaned up this season. They each have added the even-more prestigious Most Valuable Player honors to their resumes. Evans of the Southport Sun Sox was chosen the Tycobbian Union MVP with Hobbs getting the Ruthlandian Union MVP trophy.

What a season Lorne Evans had! A Triple Crown year! Not only did he lead the IPA with a lofty .386 batting average, Evans topped it with 59 homers and also paced the TU with 134 runs batted in. Stats good enough to get him the Tycobbian Most Valuable Player Award for the third time in his career. Evans also took the trophy in 2027 and 2028. The sensational 25-year-old right fielder was an important ingredient in Southport's third-place finish in the TU South. Evans is just the fourth player in IPA history to have a Triple Crown year. A player must lead his league in batting average, homers and RBIs to win the honor.

Blue Lake's splendid right-hander Doug Kirkpatrick was the MVP runner-up in the Tycobbian Union. Kirkpatrick sparked the Blue Sox to the TU North division title for the first time in 20 years. He compiled a 22-9 mark with a 2.92 ERA. Colchester standout center fielder Jim Lewellen, third in the Golden Bat competition, was also third-best in the MVP race. Lewellen had an impressive year with 45 homers and 131 RBIs. The 7-year vet batted .288 for the Elites.

Waleska's Roy Hobbs has had a storybook career. This was his second Ruthlandian Union MVP honor. He also won it in 2026. This season the 37-year-old Westerner center fielder helped his club to a close second-place finish in the RU South. Hobbs led the IPA with 138 RBIs and hit .345 with 35 roundtrippers. He also won his seventh Golden Bat Award and made All-Star team for the 15th time.

Ranking second in The Islandian Times poll was San Dimas' fine starter Joaquin Lima. The 25-year-old righty put up a 21-10 record with a 2.49 ERA. Lima won this year's RU Golden Arm Award. Third place went to Waleska right fielder Loco Dillinger, a teammate of Hobbs. Dillinger had a marvelous season and was second to Hobbs for the RU Golden Bat with a .319 BA, 42 home runs, 118 RBIs and 119 runs.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, October 17, 2030

IPA Awards 2030 Golden Gloves
There were quite a few newcomers to the IPA Golden Glove teams this season selected in The Islandian Times poll. Only five of them had previously been honored. Catcher Jaak Pajukivi of Valka was the only past Ruthlandian Union Golden Glover. Pajukivi won his second Golden Glove trophy. Repeat winners in the Tycobbian top defenders were Joe DeLucca of Summerland, a four-time honoree, Eddie Darby of Tuckanarra, three-time winner, and Frisky Franks of High Mesa and Jed Turchin of Tuckanarra, both of whom picked up their second Gold Gloves. There were no rookies on the Golden Glove squads this season.

Ruthlandian Union Golden Glove Team:
Pitcher: Ronald Schmitt (Marston) (1.000 FA/12-15/4.53 ERA)
Catcher: Jaak Pajukivi (Valka) (.995 FA/2 PB/32.5% RTO/.298 BA/18 HR/76 RBI/61 R)
First Baseman: Josh George (Crystal Lake) (.997 FA/268 BA/20 HR/87 RBI/101 R)
Second Baseman: Robby Johnson (Eastshore) (.977 FA/.240 BA/6 HR/54 RBI/61 R)
Third Baseman: Skippy Shearer (Glasco) (.952 FA/.285 BA/17 HR/73 RBI/51 R)
Shortstop: Rusty Adler (Far Mountain) (.965 FA/.277BA/10 HR/49 RBI/63 R)
Left Fielder: Percy Whitehead (Ranford) (.996 FA/.341 BA/7 HR/67 RBI/66 R)
Center Fielder: Scotty Lagrange (Eastshore) (.995 FA/.272 BA/29 HR/89 RBI/91 R)
Right Fielder: Sterling Hall (Crystal Lake) (1.000 FA/.349 BA/5 HR/67 RBI/70 R)

Tycobbian Union Golden Glove Team:
Pitcher: Dixie Brooks (East Point) (1.000 FA/18-14/3.51 ERA)
Catcher: Mel Danley (South Fork) (.993 FA/7 PB/43.7% RTO/.282 BA/30 HR/77 RBI/54 R)
First Baseman: Gerry Hathaway (Luxora) (.998 FA/.316 BA/29 HR/82 RBI/75 R)
Second Baseman: Eddie Darby (Tuckanarra) (.984 FA/.283 BA/6 HR/66 RBI/68 R)
Third Baseman: Freddy Franks (High Mesa) (.982 FA/.246 BA/13 HR/78 RBI/67 R)
Shortstop: Jed Turchin (Tuckanarra) (.960 FA/.323 BA/20 HR/90 RBI/88 R)
Left Fielder: Joe DeLucca (Summerland) (.993 FA/.278 BA/13 HR/60 RBI/79 R)
Center Fielder: Chris Halley (Blue Lake) (.991 FA/.316 BA/3 HR/53 RBI/76 R)
Right Fielder: Babe Hankins (Kenwood) (.986 FA/.345 BA/23 HR/109 RBI/110 R)

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, October 17, 2030

GC's Joslin, Blue Lake's Hilliard Top IPA Skippers
The young guard was named the Managers of the Year in the Islandian Pro Alliance this year. Wade Joslin guided the Grand City Cybercats to the Ruthlandian South division title to capture the league Manager of the Year Award. Joslin inproved the Cybercats from seventh to first this year as they went from 74-80 to 90-64. The top Tycobbian skipper was Rick Hilliard of the Blue Lake Blue Sox, who rose up from fifth place (73-81) to the TU East pennant (85-69) in one season. Both award winners were selected for the first time this year in The Islandian Times poll.

Ilya Szabo of the Colfax Blasters came in second to Joslin in the balloting. Szabo led his club's rise from 68-86 (7th) to a first-place finish in the RU West with an 84-68 mark. LaGrange's Quincy Peterson and Valmara's Jet Kazmarek rounded out the vote, winding up third and fourth respectively. Peterson's Sports (86-68) blossomed to second place in the RU North and gave Kazmarek's Vipers (87-67) a tough run for the pennant this season. Powerful Valmara won its division for the fifth time in a row and seventh time in the last eight seasons.

Ozarka manager Frank Kiffin ran second to Hilliard in the Tycobbian race. Kiffin's Naturals climbed from fifth (73-81) to first (94-60) in the TU East and won more games than anyone in the IPA this year. Denny Coulon of Bay St. Clair came in a close third as the Bucs moved from seventh to the TU West crown, going from 75-79 to 92-62. Cape Coral's Flipper Bird wound up fourth in the poll and Aaron Hankins of Kenwood was fifth. Bird's Hurricanes moved up from fourth (80-74) to first (93-61) in the TU South, while Hankins' Wildcats went from fifth (76-78) to second (91-63), beaten out by Bay St. Clair in the TU West.

[Eugene Church]

IPA Season 2031 coming soon to a ballpark near you.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 24, 2031

2031 IPA Mid-Season Standings

Ruthlandian North

Valmara Way Ahead In RU North
Under manager Jet Kazmarek the vaunted Valmara Vipers have won the RU North 7 times in the last 8 years and the last 5 years in succession. They are at it again with a 7-game lead at the halfway point in the Ruthlandian North. The veteran-led Vipers are dominating the division with the best hitting and pitching. The LaGrange Sports are a distant second thus far, followed by the Far Mountain Redhawks in third and trailing by 9 games. Don't expect Valmara to fold. The Vipers have the best record in the IPA at the All-Star break and appear to be the cream of the crop this season. They are poised for another run at the IPA Pro Cup. Last year Valmara lost in seven games to the Blue Lake Blue Sox.

Ruthlandian North

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 24, 2031

2031 IPA Mid-Season Standings

Ruthlandian South

San Dimas Pitchers Prevails In RU South
Superior pitching has given the San Dimas Rancheros a 3-game lead over second place Valka in the Ruthlandian South at mid-year. Manager Wesley Pate has the luxury of four formidable starters in his rotation and top-notch relievers, too. Valka has the best hitting in the division and Grand City, last year's champ, has the power. San Dimas comes up way short in firepower and is last in scoring. Grand City is in the third spot in the standings and is 5 games back. This is the strongest division in the IPA with 7 of the 8 clubs over the .500 mark. Only last place Waleska has failed to break even and they are just one game under .500.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 24, 2031

2031 IPA Mid-Season Standings

Ruthlandian East

6-Team Race In RU East, All-Stars and Bobcats Tied
It's quite a donnybrook in the Ruthlandian East with 6 clubs tightly bunched at the mid-season mark. Upstart Elnora has charged up from last year's cellar finish to tie with Beechwood for the top spot. Belle Plaine is a very close third, just 2 games off the pace with Sugar Valley in fourth, only 3 games back. Last year's pennant winner Wynnamac is still very much in the hunt and is tied with Eastshore for fourth. They are only 4 games behind and very much within striking distance. 6 of the teams have winning records. The RU East is just about as tough as the RU South in that respect.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 24, 2031

2031 IPA Mid-Season Standings

Ruthlandian West

Sligo Tops RU West, FTB 2nd, Volusia 3rd
Three teams are in the running for the Ruthlandian West title this season. At the All-Star break the Sligo Rovers have the top spot in the standings with the the Fort Benton Defenders and Volusia Vigilantes nearby. The Defenders are 2 games out, while the V's trail by 4 games. The Rovers have the high octane and can put runs on the scoreboard, but they need some help in the pitching department. Fort Benton and Volusia have both been outstanding on the mound in the season's first half, but they each could use some bats. How well each club can solve its shortcoming will be the deciding factor in the pennant race.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 24, 2031

2031 IPA Mid-Season Standings

Tycobbian North

4-Club Battle In TU North, Zorros Lead At All-Star Game
For the fourth straight season the Luxora Zorros have stepped it up and climbed in the Tycobbian North standings. Manager Lacey Tompkins has the Z's riding high in first place this season and primed to snare the elusive crown. The Zorros are up by a scant game over the division runner-up Mahaska Haymakers, 2 in front of last year's Pro Cup titlist Blue Lake and 3 better than fourth place North Hills.

The Blue Sox have to be the favorite for the TU North crown with their superb pitching, but Luxora and Mahaska will also have some say in the matter, especially the Haymakers with the good offense. Mahaska has a well-balanced attack with good hitting and good pitching. Neither Blue Lake, nor Luxora have much at the plate.

[Raidergoo]

This is going to be Valmara's year.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 24, 2031

2031 IPA Mid-Season Standings

Tycobbian South

Ginza Grabs 4-Game Edge In TU South, Suns 2nd
After stumbling down to fifth last season, the Ginza Ninjas have rebounded to take a 4-game lead at the halfway mark in 2031. Manager Huroko Uchiyama has the only team with a winning record in the Tycobbian South. Home run power is keeping the Ninjas in business this year. Last season's pennant-winning Cape Coral Hurricanes are back on the bottom after a couple of years of success. The 'Canes are in a severe batting slump and the mound corps has fallen on hard times, too. Arroyo Grande is second in the chase. Turon, with its fine pitching staff, is tied with Southport for third. The Colchester Elites and Summerland Sunsets are tied for the sixth spot in the standings and are 6 games behind Ginza. Turon may be the surprise team this year. The Typhoons wound up sixth last season, the sixth consecutive year in the second division. Perhaps Turon's fortune is about to change.

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by Raidergoo

This is going to be Valmara's year.

Yeah, things are looking good for them. They even added another fine starting pitcher in Richie Raeburn, who came from South Fork in a trade for the solid CF Teddy Szymanski. Raeburn, age 31, is 6-0 with a 2.25 ERA in his 8 starts since arriving in late April. He was recently put in the fourth spot in the rotation after some spot starts and relief work. Lifetime Raeburn is 77-59 in his 7th year and has posted an impressive 2.69 ERA as a starter and closer. Raeburn made the TU All-Star team in 2027 and 2028. The trade has been a good one for both clubs. Szymanski has added some much-needed offense to the Stallion lineup. He is hitting .284 with 7 homers and 31 RBIs for South Fork. The 27-year-old Szymanski is a career .300 hitter with 195 homers and 809 RBIs in his 9th IPA season. He is a fine outfielder and has excelled in the playoffs with a .321 BA and 10 homers in 82 games.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 24, 2031

2031 IPA Mid-Season Standings

Tycobbian East

4 Contenders In TU East, East Point Leading
Lots of good ball clubs in the Tycobbian East this season. 6 of them have posted winning records at mid-year. The best of the lot so far is the first place East Point Panthers, who have a 2-game margin over the runner-up South Fork Stallions. In the third spot 4 games off the pace are the Red Bluff Red Sox, followed by the fourth place Tuckanarra Blue Jays, who are 5 games out of first. The Panthers, Stallions and Blue Jays have outstanding pitching, while the Red Sox have booming bats. East Point may be the favorite because they also pack some punch in their lineup. Red Bluff may not have the pitching to overcome the Panthers, Stallions and Blue Jays. It's been a dismal year for Ozarka, last season's TU East champion. The Naturals have fallen flat on their faces this year with bad pitching and sub-par batting. Very little has gone well for last year's Tycobbian Manager of the Year Frank Kiffin. At the All-Star hiatus the Nats are 34-39 and are in the division basement 11 games behind in the race. Last year Ozarka led the IPA with a 94-60 mark.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 24, 2031

2031 IPA Mid-Season Standings

Tycobbian West

RH Reds Best In The TU West, 3-Team Battle
Quality teams abound in the Tycobbian West. 6 clubs are playing winning baseball, but in reality only 3 of them are given any chance in the pennant chase. The first place Rolling Hills Reds are the best-balanced squad with a solid mound corps and excellent hitting and scoring. At the halfway point the Reds have put up a 2-game lead over the Kenwood Wildcats and last year's champion Bay St. Clair Buccaneers, who are deadlocked in second place. Three clubs, La Claire, Denton City and Bayview are tied for fourth and trail by 5 games. The Wildcats come up a little short in pitching, but they do hit the ball with authority, while the Bucs will have to hit better to surge past Rolling Hills. Bay St. Clair and La Claire have the best pitchers overall, but lack the bats.