ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, October 8, 2039

2039 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - GAME ONE AT DERBY DOWNS IN ARLON

WALESKA WINS OPENER 2-1 BEHIND NASH'S 5TH WIN
Picking up where he left off in last year's Pro Cup Finals, Craig Nash fired a 2-1 gem in the opening game of this year's Finals to give Waleska a one-game edge over the Arlon Champions... Shayn Lambert's sixth-inning homer made the difference in a fine pitching duel between Nash and Ronny Farnsworth.

Nash (5-0/1.43), last year's Pro Cup MVP, went the route, holding the Champions to six hits... he whiffed eight batters and walked four... Farnsworth (1-2/2.03) also worked a complete game, yielding seven hits with four Ks and one base on balls.

Lambert (.354) led the Westerners with three hits and two runs scored... LF Teke Holmes (.250) singled in Lambert with the game's first run in the top of the second... in the bottom half of the inning Arlon 1B Ernie Pryor (.220) knotted it up a solo blast, his second of the playoffs... Pryor had two hits to lead the Champs.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, October 9, 2039

2039 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - GAME TWO AT DERBY DOWNS IN ARLON

LAMBERT'S 2 HRS POWER WALESKA TO 2ND WIN
For the second straight day in the IPA Pro Cup Series, Shayn Lambert provided the power and the Waleska Westerners got strong pitching... this time it was Tony Haskell, who stopped the Arlon bats in an 8-1 trouncing... Waleska is now in the driver's seat with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

1B Shayn Lambert lashed two roundtrippers and drove in five runs... that give Lambert three home runs in the postseason, all in the first two games of the Finals... in all the Westerners belted 16 hits, paced by four by C Rodney Hanson (.291), and three apiece by Lambert (.377) and 3B Monty McMurtry (.302)... 3B Matt Clarendon (.263) and 2B Todd Benson (.327) got all five of the Champions' hits... with Clarendon having three of them.

Pat Stuyvesant (1-2/3.51) was the losing pitcher... in a poor outing, he went 7 innings, gave up 12 hits and five runs.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, October 10, 2039

2039 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - GAME THREE AT WESTERNER FIELD IN WALESKA

GRAY SAVES THE DAY, CHAMPS WIN 3-1 IN GAME 3
Once again Arlon's Lanny Gray has saved the day... in game three of the IPA Pro Cup Finals, Gray came through with another clutch postseason performance... this time he hurled the Champs to a 3-1 crucial victory over Waleska and narrowed the Westerners' lead to two games to one... now Arlon has a fighting chance... Gray (4-0/2.48), a 23-year-old southpaw, chalked up his fourth postseason victory with 11 strikeouts and no walks... though he permitted 10 hits, Gray held Waleska to just one run.

In the first round of the playoffs, Gray, the IPA strikeout leader, finished off East Point in game seven 5-3... in the Tycobbian LCS he beat North Hills 7-5 in game two and eliminated the Hawks 7-1 in the sixth game.

Gray and Waleska starter Jeff Woodruff matched zeroes on the scoreboard for the first seven frames... finally the Westerners broke through with three runs in the top of the eighth... with one away and CF Gussie Czajk (.301) on second, RF Mark Cameron (.301) was walked intentionally... C Nick Shafer (.306) then singled in the first run of the game... 1B Ernie Pryor's (.211) infield single made it 2-0... and SS Roland Duvernet (.273) doubled in the third one.

Waleska threatened in the ninth... singles by C Rodney Hanson (.305) and 1B Shayn Lambert (.386) placed runners on the corners... Hanson scored on a single by SS Bobby Denton (.351)... with the tying runs on base, LF Teke Holmes (.250) ended the game when he grounded into a double play.

Both squads had 10 hits each... for Arlon LF Charley Hastings (.209), Czajk and Cameron posted two hits apiece, while Hanson and Lambert topped Waleska with a pair of hits.

Loser Woodruff (1-2/2.54) worked into the ninth, surrendered three runs and 10 hits with four walks and three strikeouts.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 11, 2039

2039 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - GAME FOUR AT WESTERNER FIELD IN WALESKA

CHAMPS EVEN SERIES, WHIP WESTERNERS 3-1
For the second game in a row, the Arlon Champions got strong pitching and turned back Waleska 3-1 in game four of the Pro Cup Series and evened it at two games each... Ronny Farnsworth turned in another sharp effort blanking the Westerners on two hits over six innings before he was hurt running the bases and removed from the game with a 2-0 lead... Farnsworth (2-2/1.70) got credit for the win with the help of two relievers... Farnsworth fanned four and walked none... Frankie Gautier relieved and gave up one run in the seventh... and Peter Shannon got the save with a scoreless eighth and ninth... it was his second of the postseason... Craig Nash (5-1/1.74) got his first loss in the playoffs this season, allowing three runs on seven hits in seven and two-thirds innings... Nash struck out seven and walked three.

After four scoreless innings, Arlon struck first on CF Gussie Czajk's (.308) RBI single in the fifth... the Champs added another run in the seventh on LF Charley Hastings' (.200) sac fly... Waleska finally got on the scoreboard against Frankie Gautier in the last half of the seventh on C Rodney Hanson's (.290) sacrifice fly, cutting Arlon's lead to 2-1... the Champions got an insurance run in the eighth on pinchhitter Harry Stewart's (.500) sac fly.

Arlon collected eight hits to just four for Westerners... Czajk, 3B Matt Clarendon (.268) and Farnsworth (.154) all socked two hits each for the Champs, while 1B Shayn Lambert (.393) banged out two hits for the Westerners.

Arlon officials said they had no word on the severity of Ronny Farnsworth's injury. He was taken to the hospital for diagnostic testing. Farnsworth was slated to pitch game seven, if the series went that far. It would be a serious loss to Arlon's chances to win the Pro Cup should they lose their ace. Farnsworth was 18-8 with a great 2.64 ERA during the regular season.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednessday, October 12, 2039

2039 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - GAME FIVE AT WESTERNER FIELD IN WALESKA

WALESKA EDGES ARLON 4-3 IN GAME 5, UP 3-2
Playing their third straight game at home at Westerner Field, Waleska rallied from a 3-2 deficit in the last of the ninth to stun Arlon 4-3 in game five of the IPA Pro Cup Series... reliever Peter Shannon blew the save by walking in the winning run... he walked pinchhitter Joey Carter with the bases loaded.

In a seesaw game the Westerners took the lead in the first frame on C Rodney Hanson's (.303) RBI single... Arlon LF Charley Hastings (.216) tied it up at 1-1 in the top of the fifth with a single... in the last of the sixth 1B Shayn Lambert (.385) slammed a solo homer, his fourth of the playoff, to send Waleska in front 2-1... Hastings again tied the score at 2-2 with an RBI double... Arlon then went ahead 3-2 in the top of the eighth on 1B Ernie Pryor's (.215) RBI single... only to have the Westerners rally and win in the ninth... Rodney Hanson doubled and scored on Bobby Denton's (.333) two-bagger to tie the score at 3-all... an intentional walk to LF Teke Holmes loaded the bases... Shannon (0-2/5.00) then forced in the winning run.

Both starters did their jobs well... Pat Stuyvesant fired eight innings for the Champs and only gave up two runs and five hits with two walks and 5 strikeouts... Tony Haskell had a rockier road as he was tagged for 10 hits and three runs in eight innings... Niles Neilsen (2-0/0.00) worked a runless ninth for the victory... Arlon had the advantage 10 hits to seven for Waleska, but dropped the game.

Hanson led the Westerners with two hits and an RBI... while for Arlon it was 2B Todd Benson (.338) racking up three hits with Hastings getting two hits and driving in two runs... C Nick Shafer (.296) also drilled a pair of hits in defeat.

If needed, the final two games will be played at Derby Downs in Arlon... game six will be tomorrow afternoon... Waleska's manager Roy Hobbs will try to wrap up the Pro Cup with 24-year-old right-hander Jeff Woodruff (22-14/2.94) on the hill, while Arlon skipper Rocco Belasario will counter with Lanny Gray (16-15/3.38)... Woodruff is 1-2 in five postseason starts, but has a strong 2.54 ERA... the 23-year-old lefty Gray has been brilliant with a 4-0 mark and 2.48 ERA in four starts.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, October 13, 2039

2039 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - GAME SIX AT DERBY DOWNS IN ARLON

WALESKA WINS IT ALL, PRO CUP CHAMP
Waleska's Jeff Woodruff saved the best for last... the 24-year-old right-hander hurled one of the best games of his career by shutting out Arlon on five hits 1-0 in game six of the IPA Pro Cup Finals to give the Westerners the Islands' championship four games to two... it's the third time Waleska has won the IPA crown... they also won it in 2037 and 2028... Woodruff (2-2/2.06) went all the way, struck out five and walked three... Lanny Gray (4-1/2.18) was very sharp, too... Gray only allowed one run and eight hits and finished with six strikeouts and one walk.

Waleska snapped a scoreless tie in the top of the ninth... with two away, Rodney Hanson and Joey Harris singled, putting runners on first and second... Bobby Denton then ripped a double past third base and down the left field line to score Hanson with the winning run.

SS Bobby Denton (.358) sparked the Westerners with 3-for-4... C Rodney Hanson (.314) and pitcher Jeff Woodruff (.235) chipped in with two hits apiece... LF Charley Hastings (.231) had two hits to lead the Champions.

At the post game press conference, winning manager Roy Hobbs was elated at winning his second Pro Cup in three seasons. He told the reporters, "We thought we had a real good chance of winning it all going into the playoffs because of our pitching and that proved to be the key... Craig Nash (5-1/1.74), Tony Haskell (2-1/2.25) and Jeff Woodruff (2-2/2.06) were unreal all season long and in the playoffs, too... and Shayn Lambert (.362 BA/4 HR/13 RBI), Bobby Denton (.358 BA/1 HR/10 RBI) and Rodney Hanson (.314/1 HR/10 RBI) all came through in the postseason with the bats for us."

Disappointed Arlon skipper Rocco Belasario said, "We had faith in our starters and they did well... however, Waleska's offense was just a little better than ours... it's tough to win when you only score 11 runs in six games."

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, October 14, 2039

NASH WINS SECOND PRO CUP MVP
The IPA Pro Cup Most Valuable Player Award went to Waleska's Craig Nash for the second time in his career... Nash also won it in 2037... the 24-year-old right-hander went 5-1 in the postseason with four complete games and chalked up a superb 1.74 ERA in six starts. During the regular season Nash was 18-12 with a 2.91 ERA in 36 starts... in his six seasons in the IPA with Waleska he is 99-77 with a 3.21 ERA.

Nash is the fifth double winner of the Pro Cup MVP trophy... Far Mountain's fine outfielder Xavier Sosa also won it twice, in 2012 and 2013, Hall-of-Fame pitcher Duncan Welch, who led Crystal Lake to the 2020 Pro Cup and Eastshore to the 2022 Pro Cup... Valmara's Teddy Lem, the winner in 2026 and 2030... and hurler David Michael of the North Hills Hawks, who won it in 2034 and 2038.

Runner-up in the voting was Arlon's outstanding southpaw Lanny Gray, who ran up a 4-1 postseason record with a great 2.18 ERA in five starts. Gray was only 16-15 in the regular season, but stepped it up to the highest level in the playoffs... his only loss was 1-0 in game six of the Pro Cup Finals to Waleska.

Third in the balloting was Waleska's fine first baseman Shayn Lambert, who batted .362 in the postseason with 7 doubles, 4 homers, 13 RBIs and 9 runs scored... during the year hit .313 with 15 homers and 60 RBIs.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, October 15, 2039

RUTHLANDIAN UNION ANNOUNCES 2039 AWARDS
The Ruthlandian Union presented all the major awards for 2039... Nicky Farrugia of St. John was honored with the Golden Bat trophy, Augie Marquis of Fort Benton took the Golden Arm, Wynnamac's Nioka Inkamara received the Rookie of the Year and the RU Most Valuable Player acclaim also went to Farrugia... the Golden Glove winners were also announced.

RU Golden Bat: Nicky Farrugia (.366 BA/36 HR/104 RBI/113 runs)... first time winner... led St. John to second place in the RU South... beat out Ancona's Tommy Richardson (.360 BA/30 HR/132 RBI/87 runs) and Sugar Valley's Bobby Gamble (.310/36 HR/117 RBI/124 runs/44 SB)

RU Golden Arm: Augie Marquis (24-12/2.28)... first time winner... paced Defenders to third place in RU West... lifetime record is 271-199 with a 3.04 ERA... edged out J. J. Gillespie of Cold Creek (23-9/2.64) and Dave Whitaker of Kilkenny (21-15/2.03).

RU Rookie of the Year: Nioka Inkamara (.270 BA/28/92/83)... helped Wynnamac to fourth-place finish in RU East... closest competitors were RF Bert Richter of Far Mountain (.277 BA/23 HR/85 RBI/84 runs/19 SB) and 2B Matt Womack of Middlefield (.261 BA/23 HR/73 RBI/90 runs/17 SB).

RU MVP: Nicky Farrugia of St. John (.366 BA/36 HR/104 RBI/113 runs)... won IPA and RU batting crown with .366 average... also won the MVP award in 2036... lifetime .320 hitter in six seasons... second and third in the voting were RF Bobby Gamble of Sugar Valley (.310 BA/36 HR/117 RBI/124 runs/44 SB) and pitcher Augie Marquis of Fort Benton (24-12/2.28).

RU Golden Glove Award:
P: Ernie Hodges (Wynnamac) (20-14/3.46) (1.000 FA)
C: Ted Jarzinski (Belle Plaine) (.238/18/50/70) (.993 FA/2 PB/49.3% RTO) (two-time winner)
1B: Jojo DeLucca (Claxton) (.300/29/97/100) (.995 FA) (three-time winner)
2B: Charlie Farmer (Volusia) (.289/18/64/104) (.985 FA)
3B: Johnny Church (Marston) (.252/1/36/52) (.972 FA)
SS: Stevie Wynn (Claxton) (.298/10/47/96) (.966 FA)
LF: Kerry Keller (Volusia) (.261/23/80/68) (.992 FA)
CF: Scotty Lagrange (Eastshore) (.302/25/91/100) (1.000 FA) (five-time winner)
RF: Nioka Inkamara (Wynnamac) (.270/28/92/83) (.990 FA)

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, October 16, 2039

TYCOBBIA PRESENTS YEARLY HONORS
The major awards winners in the Tycobbian Union were Bayview's Jack Culpepper, the Golden Bat recipient... Tony Mack of North Hills got the Golden Arm... the top rookie was Darwin Tard of Rolling Hills... and the Most Valuable Player trophy went to Mark Cameron of the Arlon Champions... the Golden Gloves were also given out.

TU Golden Bat: Jack Culpepper (.312 BA/63 HR/128 RBI/118 runs)... second-highest HR total in IPA history... topped only by High Mesa's Jack Elliott, who hit 65 in 2021... also won 2037 Golden Bat... Bayview came in fifth in the TU West... number two in the balloting was RF Mark Cameron of Arlon (.324 BA/52 HR/129 RBI/111 runs)... number three was Turon SS C. C. Kingsford (.340 BA/29 HR/105 RBIs/102 runs).

TU Golden Arm: Tony Mack (23-10/2.22) of North Hills... he led the Hawks to a sixth consecutive TU North crown... Mack is 65-39 in six IPA seasons... he was a reliever the first four years... he nipped San Alejo's Bucky Buckmaster (22-10/2.52) and Neil Scottsdale (24-8/3.11) of Turon for the honor.

TU Rookie of the Year: Darwin Tard (.285 BA/23 HR/85 RBI/97 runs) of Rolling Hills... Tard sparked the Reds to third place in the TU West... the runner-up was Midway hurler Charlie Chase (17-12/3.53) and North Hills CF Jimmy Jay Ferguson (.354/9/45/60).

TU MVP: Arlon's Mark Cameron (.324 BA/52 HR/129 RBI/111 runs), who led the Champions to their best season in 20 years... they won the TU West... Cameron finished second in the Tycobbian Union in homers and RBIs and was third in runs... Turon SS C. C. Kingsford (.340 BA/29 HR/105 RBI/102 runs) was number two in the poll and Golden Arm winner Tony Mack (23-10/2.22) of North Hills was third.

TU Golden Glove Awards:
P: Jimmy Beckworth (Chicopee) (12-22/5.07) (.988 FA)
C: Mikhail Romanovsky (North Hills) (.228 BA/14 HR/52 RBI/56 runs) (.995 FA/1 PB/34.8% RTO)
1B: Ernie Pryor (Arlon) (.243 BA/22 HR/73 RBI/68 runs) (.996 FA)
2B: Mikk Kukk (Mahaska) (.307 BA/26 HR/87 RBI/96 runs) (.992 FA) (two-time winner)
3B: Matt Clarenton (Arlon) (.252 BA/9 HR/66 RBI/40 runs) (.967 FA)
SS: Rocco Bertara (Mahaska) (.295 BA/10 HR/50 RBI/90 runs) (.976 FA)
LF: Harry Tashina (Kenwood) (.327 BA/12 HR/74 RBI/88 runs) (.979 FA)
CF: Dusty Rogan (San Alejo) (.263/23 HR/89 RBI/90 runs) (.981 FA) (four-time winner)
RF: Giorgio Gervasio (Turon) (.310 BA/29 HR/112 RBI/92 runs) (.996 FA)

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, October 17, 2039

IPA TOP SKIPPERS NAMED
The guys that made all the right moves on the field, in the dugout, at the plate and on the mound have been rewarded with the IPA Manager of the Year trophies. The 2039 winners are Waleska's Roy Hobbs of the Ruthlandian Union and Arlon's Rocco Belasario of the Tycobbian Union. Both of them are first-time honorees.

Hobbs guided his Westerners to first place in the RU South with a 91-63 record. That was much-improved over the previous year, third place and an ordinary 79-75 mark. Hobbs edged out Volusia's manager Joe DeLucca for the award. DeLucca really turned the Vigilantes around. They went from eighth place to second place in the RU West, going from a pitiful 58-96 in 2038 to 86-69 this year.

With Belasario at the helm, the Arlon Champions rose up from a close second place to the top spot in the TU West... they advanced from 84-70 to 95-59 in just one season... Kenwood's skipper Aaron Hankins was second to Belasario... his Wildcats climbed from seventh in the TU West to a very close second to Arlon, winding up only two games out of first... Kenwood jumped from a bad 66-88 to an impressive 93-61... third in the best-manager poll was Mahaska's Bucky O'Brian... the Haymakers came in second again in the tough TU North to the perennial powerhouse North Hills, but they did improve their standing, going from 82-72 and 11 games back to 91-63 and only six games behind.

[Eugene Church]

I think that finishes year 2039.

I'll get to work on the next season.

I will not do a monthly recap like I did this year. I did learn more about the league on a month-to-month basis, but it wasn't worth the extra time to me to do it.

I will revert back to just giving the mid-season report and final recap in 2040.

I'm still open to any suggestions to improve the dynasty report.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, June 17, 2040

IPA ALL-STAR CLASH WED AT WALESKA
The halfway mark has been reached in the Islandian Pro Alliance, so that means the All-Star Game can't be far away. The mid-summer's dream game is slated for this Wednesday afternoon at Westerner Field, home of the defending Pro Cup champion Waleska. Last season Tybobbia trounced Ruthlandia 16-7 to run their lead in the All-Star series to 26-13.

The Cold Creek Catamounts have the most players on the RU Stars with three, while the Ginza Ninjas have five representatives on the Tycobbian Stars. Cody Hanks will be making his sixth appearance for the Ruthlandia and Lorne Evans is tops for Tycobbia with his 11th selection.

RUTHLANDIAN UNION ALL-STARS:

SP: CHRIS DUNSBERRY (SUGAR VALLEY) 13-2/2.73 (SECOND TIME)
SP: JIMMY HERMAN (BEECHWOOD) 12-6/2.91) (FIRST TIME)
SP: ANDO LINTROP (VALKA) 12-4/2.66 (FIRST TIME)
SP: J. J. GILLESPIE (COLD CREEK) 11-6/2.62 (FIFTH TIME)
SP: JOEY BAKER (COLD CREEK) 9-2/2.17/3 saves (SECOND TIME)
SP: STAN KIVAS (ELNORA) 10-6/2.44 (THIRD TIME)
SP: TERRY RICHARDS (WALESKA) 9-5/2.47 (FIFTH TIME)
MR: JOE PIERCE (KILKENNY) 4-2/1.50/12 saves) (FIRST TIME)
C: BARNEY SWINDELL (STONER) .310/17/61/37 (SECOND TIME)
C: CANNON JOHNSON (ELNORA) .310/5/40/39 (SECOND TIME)
C: STAN STANEK (CRYSTAL LAKE) .336/12/43/56 (THIRD TIME)
1B: BENNY HULL (GRAND CITY) .332/19/63/45 (FIRST TIME)
1B: DENNY SIMMONS (SLIGO) .344/10/42/47 (SECOND TIME)
2B: CODY HANKS (BEECHWOOD) .303/18/56/45 (SIXTH TIME)
2B: GARY COLTON (CLAXTON) .312/6/44/24) (FIFTH TIME)
3B: LEONARD PURKEY (SAN DIMAS) .349/18/59/55 (SECOND TIME)
3B: TOMMY RICHARDSON (ANCONA) .326/11/45/44) (THIRD TIME)
3B: MONTY MCMURTRY (WALESKA) .327/4/42/48) (FIRST TIME)
SS: JOHNNY PETRAK (EASTSHORE) .349/11/38/58 (FIFTH TIME)
SS: STAN MILA (MARSTON) .342/13/58/39 (SECOND TIME)
SS: MEL SMITH (BEECHWOOD) .297/12/42/59 (FIRST TIME)
LF: CHET PENN (COLFAX) .327/20/46/43) (FIFTH TIME)
LF: JOHNNY KENNEDY (CRYSTAL LAKE) .318/14/58/42) (FIRST TIME)
LF: AUSTIN EPPS (SAN DIMAS) .318/11/37/39 (FIRST TIME)
CF: CAZZIE CARVALHO (VOLUSIA) .318/13/41/44 (FIRST TIME)
CF: DARRELL DONNELLY (WYNNAMAC) .288/9/43/42 (SECOND TIME)
CF: KEN BRENNAN (COLD CREEK) .360/5/30/51 (FIRST TIME)
RF: NIOKA INKAMARA (WYNNAMAC) .332/22/69/50 (FIRST TIME)
RF: BOO BOUDREAUX (BELLE PLAINE) .333/19/42/54 (SECOND TIME)
RF: BERT RICHTER (FAR MOUNTAIN) .303/15/56/52 (FIRST TIME)

TYCOBBIAN UNION ALL-STARS:

SP: JEFF OWENS (NORTH HILLS) 14-4/2.22 (FOURTH TIME)
SP: JAYSON HALLSTROM (SUMMERLAND) 13-3/1.71 (SECOND TIME)
SP: ANDRE MONTROSE (BLUE LAKE) 11-6/2/42 (FIRST TIME)
SP: CHARLIE CHASE (MIDWAY) 9-7/2.29 (FIRST TIME)
SP: FREDDY GOOCH (KENWOOD) 10-3/2.71 (FIRST TIME)
SP: PAT KOVACS (LA CLAIRE) 10-5/2.86 (SEVENTH TIME)
MR: TERRY BAIRD (LA CLAIRE) 4-3/1.59/11 saves (THIRD TIME)
MR: TIMMY HICKENS (GINZA) 7-4/2.62/14 saves) (FIRST TIME)
C: CORKY DINOZZO (KENWOOD) .344/23/46/36 (FOURTH TIME)
C: NICK SHAFER (ARLON) .317/13/55/34 (SECOND TIME)
C: WHIP HARRELL (GINZA) .307/14/48/42) (FIRST TIME)
1B: CLAUDE KINGSTON (HILLSBORO) .300/26/68/51 (FIRST TIME)
1B: CLIFFORD COLEMAN (HIGH MESA) .302/23/63/48 (SECOND TIME)
1B: WAYMAN STETSON (DENTON CITY) .324/21/66/43 (SECOND TIME)
2B: MIKK KUKK (MAHASKA) .347/11/38/43 (THIRD TIME)
2B: JERRY CULPEPPER (BAYVIEW) .353/34/71/67 (SEVENTH TIME)
3B: SAM ESSEX (GINZA) .325/15/55/42 (FIRST TIME)
3B: JIMMY WOODS (OZARKA) .317/8/46/40 (FIRST TIME)
SS: JOEL POCHE (LUXORA) .329/14/40/45 (FIRST TIME)
SS: JOEL COLLINS (CAPE CORAL) .299/8/33/43 (SECOND TIME)
SS: JARROD O'NEAL (LA CLAIRE) .283/10/41/33 (FOURTH TIME)
LF: ICHIRO KAZUMI (GINZA) .384/12/45/44 (FIRST TIME)
LF: CLAY JOHNSTON (HIGH MESA) .298/19/53/45) (FIRST TIME)
LF: ADAM THURGOOD (NORTH HILLS) .312/14/45/51 (SIXTH TIME)
CF: DUSTY ROGAN (SAN ALEJO) .343/13/49/39 (SECOND TIME)
CF: IVAR NILSSEN (BAYVIEW) .308/15/47/36 (FIRST TIME)
CF: SOGO TAKAGI (GINZA) .304/21/56/58 (THIRD TIME)
RF: WILLIAM SNYDER (CAPE CORAL) .336/16/39/48 (FOURTH TIME)
RF: LORNE EVANS (TUCKANARRA) .338/24/53/61 (ELEVENTH TIME)
RF: EAMON O'TOOLE (SUMMERLAND) .349/10/50/34 (FIRST TIME)
RF: BLAKE BARRISTER (COLCHESTER) .274/22/64/44 (FOURTH TIME)

[Eugene Church]

2040 IPA Mid-Season Standings

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, June 20, 2040

RU STARS HOMER PAST TU STARS 6-3
It was home-run power that carried the day in the 40th edition of the IPA All-Star game at Westerner Field in Waleska... the Ruthlandian Stars boomed three out of the park in a 6-3 triumph... Benny Hull (Grand City), Gary Colton (Claxton) and Stan Stanek (Crystal Lake) all went deep with solo homers... the RU All-Stars outhit the TU Stars 11 to 6... Tycobbia still has an overwhelming lead in the All-Star series... they have won 26 of the 40 contests.

Ruthlandia jumped on loser Jeff Owens (North Hills) for three runs in the last of the third and added another one in the fourth for a 4-0 lead... RBI singles by LF Johnny Kennedy (Crystal Lake), CF Ken Brennan (Cold Creek) and 3B Leonard Purkey (San Dimas), plus a solo homer by 1B Benny Hull (Grand City) accounted for the runs... Stanek's (Crystal Lake) roundtripper in the sixth made it 5-0... in the seventh Tycobbia got back into the game with a three-run outburst against Terry Richards (Waleska)... CF Sogo Takagi (Ginza) got their first run in with a single... the last two scores came on an error by second baseman Gary Colton (Claxton)... Colton's one-run clout in the last of the eighth made it 6-3.

Ando Lintrop (Valka) notched the victory with a scoreless third inning... Owens (North Hills) got the loss as he was battered for four runs and five hits in one-plus inning... C Barney Swindell (Stoner) and 1B Benny Hull (Grand City) sparked Ruthlandia with two hits apiece... SS Joel Poche (Luxora) was the only Tycobbian All-Star to get two base hits, one of them a double... Benny Hull was named the game's Most Valuable Player in a media vote.

[Eugene Church]

2040 Ruthlandian Union Mid-Season Team Batting and Team Pitching Stats

[Eugene Church]

2040 Tycobbian Union Mid-Season Team Batting and Pitching Stats

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 17, 2040

BULLS HOLD OFF CATS IN RU NORTH
In the Ruthlandian North the Ranford Bulls held off the Kilkenny Cats in the final days of the race and won by two games... the Ancona Red Elephants came in third, losing out by eight games... last year's division champ Far Mountain vanished from contention and wound up ten games back in fourth place.

1. RANFORD BULLS (80-74) (--): up from third last year (11 GB)... the Bulls were the best in the weakest division in the IPA... only two clubs had winning records... third pennant in team's history... last was in 2034... not expected to do much in the playoffs... just an average ball club.
Top Pitchers: Ralph Hawk (20-14/2.62)
Top Batters: 3B Pete Bankston (.302/18/83/71), RF Dale Weston (.289/45/112/95)

2. KILKENNY CATS (78-76) (2 GB): finished second last season (8 GB)... team has never made the postseason... have come close twice, this year and in 2036... has good pitching with a 3.74 ERA (10th)... no offense with .243 BA (32nd).
Top Pitchers: 37-year-old ace Dave Whitaker (19-13/3.21) now has 340 wins in 18 seasons... James Crockett (16-15/3.48)... All-Star Joe Pierce was superb with a 6-5 record, 23 saves and a 1.37 ERA.
Top Batters: only decent bats are 3B Jorge Collazo (.287/9/61/74) and RF Kevin McLaglen (.275/12/78/74).

3. ANCONA RED ELEPHANTS (72-82) (8 GB): fifth and 11 games behind in 2039... fairly good at the plate with .269 BA (11th), but mediocre on the mound with a 4.10 ERA (23rd)... have won five RU North flags, none since 2022.
Top Pitchers: Steven Russell (11-12/3.72), Clyde Fairchild (14-20/3.93).
Top Batters: All-Star 3B Tommy Richardson (.326/23/83/94), SS Alex Zitek (.286/39/106/82), C Gregg Straka (.312/6/51/74).

4. FAR MOUNTAIN REDHAWKS (70-84) (10 GB): won the pennant the previous two seasons, declined badly on the hill and at the plate this year.
Top Pitchers: 25-game winner Chad Cummings slumped to 14-13 and a 3.84 ERA... all the rest really went into the tank: Karl Nordheim (8-14/4.35/11 saves), Frankie Moreland (5-3/5.13/2 saves), Dennis Sasek (14-21/3.73).
Top Batters: All-Star CF Bert Richter (.290/34/111/98), 1B John Burrell (.284/24/98/74).

5. TARANTO TARS (68-86) (12 GB): seventh and 19 games off the pace last year... only three division crowns in its history, last one was years ago in 2019... good power (208 HR-3rd) because of small ballpark... weak offense with .247 BA (30th)... not much pitching with a 4.14 ERA (26th).
Top Pitchers: Ric Vizzini (12-23/3.51) most reliable... best in the bullpen was Fast Eddy Romano (10-4/3.23/22 saves).
Top Batters: 1B Mark Delaney (.277/42/103/93), CF Gary Tramonte (.268/31/73/72)

6. LAGRANGE SPORTS (67-87) (13 GB): was fourth in 2039... won three straight pennants and five in six seasons from 2032 to 2037... slipped badly this year to sixth due to drop in both hitting and pitching.
Top Pitchers: Arnie Ayers (16-11/3.20), Hot Dog Huxtable (17-17/3.84)... 34-year-old Ryan Janssen (12-17/3.29) is still a solid starter... lost ace Walt Thurber (7-10/4.00) in July to injury... the 35-year-old Thurber reached the 200-win milestone this season.
Top Batters: no standout sticks... only dependable ones are RF Charles Bacque (.275/17/81/73) and SS John Rodgers (.271/21/71/78).

7. VALMARA VIPERS (66-88) (14 GB): sixth in 2039, 19 games out... eighth consecutive year in the second division... no division titles since 2031... have won 12 pennants and the 2026 Pro Cup... poor offense (31st-tied) and lackluster pitching (4.08 ERA/22nd).
Top Pitchers: Kasio Kitowsky (17-17/4.03)
Top Batters: CF Paul Anthony (.277/17/62/63) and 2B Mike Bruce (.310/1/40/79) were the club leaders at the plate, but nothing to boast about.

8. GLASCO ATHLETICS (64-90) (16 GB): last the last two seasons... only two playoff appearances and one pennant in the club's history... nothing since 2003... no offense (.252 BA-28th) and not a lot of pitching (4.11 ERA-25th).
Top Pitchers: youngsters Manny Berrera (9-3/2.94/1 save) and Ciaran Gallagher (6-5/3.65) show some promise... though he had a tough season mainly due to a lack of run support, Basil Newchurch (8-22/3.70) is still a quality starter at age 28.
Top Batters: vets 1B Greg Stone (.276/17/62/53), SS Terry Johnstone (.256/15/55/94), CF Travis Houston (.255/16/74/69) and C Eddy Martin (.272/18/64 58) provided what little offense the A's had.



2040 Ruthlandian North Division Final Standings, Team Batting, Team Pitching, Team Defense

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 17, 2040

CL CRUSHERS UPSET WALESKA FOR RU SOUTH CROWN
The defending IPA champion Waleska Westerners ran into a hornet's nest this season... the hot-hitting Crystal Lake Crushers dethroned them in the Ruthlandian South Division pennant race... the Crushers edged the Westerners out by three games... St. John and Claxton tied for third and trailed by nine games.

1. CRYSTAL LAKE CRUSHERS (94-60): for the last five seasons Crystal Lake has languished in the second division, but in a surprise rise the Crushers moved up from fifth place to the top spot this season... by a wide margin they outhit and outscored everybody in the IPA with a .295 BA and 843 runs... defense is outstanding, too, with a .980 FA... this was the eighth pennant for the Crushers in their history with the most recent one in 2034.
Top Pitchers: just enough pitching to get by with 36-year-old Arnie Cason (23-9/3.05) having the best year in his career... 35-year old vets Ken Lawson (20-12/4.09) and Douglas Merrill (18-11/4.26) benefitted often from the high-scoring offense.
Top Batters: RF Paul Dillon (.344/10/89/97), CF Jesse Walker (.344/0/49/92), All-Star LF Johnny Kennedy (.299/24/98/81), All-Star C Stan Stanek (.314/24/99/117), 1B Daryl Brady (.315/19/91/74), 3B Marv Roy (.283/16/88/74), SS Morten Jonassen (.310/1/57/72).

2. WALESKA WESTERNERS (91-63) (3 GB): had a solid season, but couldn't beat out Crystal Lake... short on power with 91 HRs (32nd), but hit well with a .274 BA (7th) and good scoring with 745 runs (11th)... mound corps was excellent with a 3.04 ERA (3rd).
Top Pitchers: starting four were all under 3.00 ERA... Craig Nash (20-14/2.94), Jeff Woodruff (23-9/2.73), All-Star Terry Richards (16-15/2.56) and Tony Haskell (10-10/2.69/5 saves) were tough customers on the hill... Richards had a tough second half with no run support... Niles Nielsen (9-4/2.68/18 saves) was impressive in the bullpen.

3. ST. JOHN CRUSADERS (85-59) (9 GB): fell from second, eight games behind, to third this year... solid offense with .275 BA (5th), 772 runs (8th) and 145 HRs (16th-tied)... just average on the hill with a 3.88 ERA (18th).
Top Pitchers: Jeremy Kirk (21-11/2.82) was the only consistent starter.
Top Batters: All-Star RF Nicky Farrugia (.346/26/59/73) had a great year, but missed almost half the season with hamstring problems... the main run producers didn't hit much for average: 3B Marty Blankenship (.260/28/105/80), CF Art Kelley (.274/29/81/92), 2B Byron Johannsen (.246/14/83/80) and SS Tod Allison (.265/4/57/90), but did put runs on the scoreboard.

3. CLAXTON DIAMONDS (85-69) (9 GB): improved from fourth (12 GB) to a tie for third and nine games out... won the pennant in 2038... the Diamonds have captured the RU South seven times... now just an average ballclub.
Top Pitchers: Sam Nathan (22-14/3.40), Abe Shiffman (20-13/3.40) and Ben Ituha (16-12/3.90)... Schiffman was third in the RU with 255 Ks... Itaha was a good trade with Chicopee... bullpen is very good with 3.06 ERA (6th), led by Maxie Richter (4-5/2.54/13 saves), Gary Haskin (2-1/3.05/10 saves) and A. C. Van Kliest (4-1/2.68).
Top Batters: All-Star 2B Gary Colton (.308/16/93/66), star 1B Jojo DeLucca (.283/29/92.92), LF Foxy Fuchs (.284/28/84/86) and SS Stevie Wynn (.284/10/49/89).

5. SAN DIMAS RANCHEROS (76-78) (18 GB): dropped from third (10 GB) to fifth this year, 18 games off the pace... only two pennants in club history in 2007 and 2031... average in most respects, but can score and hit homers... 777 runs (7th) and 156 HRs (11th).
Top Pitchers: Gil Armaud (16-16/3.46), Duffy Davidson (14-14/3.53) and Toby White (14-12/3.96).
Top Batters: All-Star 3B Leonard Purkey (.300/33/114/101), RF Denny Hendrix (.305/34/112/98), All-Star LF Austin Epps (.320/22/84/78), CF Klaus Stordahl (.291/18/65/103) and C Hermie Goetz (.292/10/63/103).

6. VALKA BLACKHAWKS (75-79) (19 GB): wound in the second division for the 12th year in a row, but did improve slightly from seventh (23 GB) to sixth (19 GB)... the Blackhawks have only won the RU South three times, 2017 was the last time... they hit the ball very well with a .270 BA (9th), 801 runs (3rd) and 169 HRs (8th), but don't have much on the hill with a 4.11 ERA (24th).
Top Pitchers: Mikael Arens (17-12/3.22) was the most effective... All-Star Ando Lintrop (16-14/3.81) went into a second-half slump... reliever Julien Rouse racked up 18 saves, but posted a poor 5-9 record with a 3.53 ERA.
Top Batters: star CF Kenny Mitzusaka (.322/32/119/100) had his best year in his eight years in the IPA... star 1B Bobby Scott (.314/21/93/98) had another very good year... other reliable bats were LF Roger Collier (.300/7/44/102), SS Marek Kallasmaa (.290/13/61/83) and 2B Warren Block (.277/17/92/72).

7. GRAND CITY CYBERCATS (69-85) (20 GB): dipped from sixth and 20 GB to seventh and 25 GB... have won only two division crowns, in 2030 and 2021... basically just a mediocre team.
Top Pitchers: Billy Walton (13-13/4.12) was the only starter to break even... reliever Kent Douglas was inconsistent with a 6-13 mark, but did post 15 saves and a 2.85 ERA.
Top Batters: All-Star Benny Hull (.302/33/117/84) led the club in everything: BA, hits, runs, homers and RBIs... got some help from C Iggy Van Dyck (.282/27/83/73) and LF Junior Baldini (.283/20/79/81).

8. BELAIR BEACH SUNBIRDS (28 GB): ended up in the cellar again for the third successive year... the only thing they do well is hit homers... 184 HRs (5th)... otherwise a dismal ball team... have five pennants in its history with the most recent coming way, way back in 2016.
Top Pitchers: workhouse Todd Clyman (18-15/3.32) is the Sunbirds' ace and only decent pitcher.
Top Batters: at 33 star LF Bobby Meusel had a strong year with a .319 BA, 38 HRs and 111 RBIs, all career highs... his only help came from 3B Jason Butler, who slugged 35 homers, drove in 98 runs, scored 98 and batted .291... RF Larry Cole also put up some very good numbers in 107 games with a .327 BA, 17 HRs, 51 RBIs and 68 runs... he missed six weeks of the season with a separated shouder.

2040 Ruthlandian North Division Final Standings, Team Batting, Team Pitching, Team Defense

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 17, 2040

CC 'CATS TAKE 4TH PENNANT IN 5 YEARS
The Cold Creek Catamounts have been terrific the last five years winning the Ruthlandian East on four occasions. Even the year they came in second they won 96 games. This year was the best of them all as Cold Creek went over the century mark with 101 victories to beat second place Beechwood by seven games, Sugar Valley by eight and Elnora by 14 games... with the most wins in the IPA, Cold Creek may have the stuff to go far in the Pro Cup playoffs this year. They have never gotten past the second round in the postseason.

1. COLD CREEK CATAMOUNTS (101-53): the 'Cats always have strong pitching, but this year they added rock-solid hitting to their arsenal... they batted .282 (2nd) and tallied 785 runs (5th), but hit only 111 homers (30th)... on the mound they were as good as ever with a 2.97 ERA (1st), third best in the IPA after Summerland (2.83) and North Hills (2.88)... defensively Cold Creek is very good with a .978 FA.
Top Pitchers: All-Star J. J. Gillespie (23-11/2.26) topped the 200-win milestone this season and is now 206-105 in 12 seasons with a fantastic 2.28 ERA... Gillespie's career ERA is the all-time best in the IPA... Gillespie topped the RU with a 2.26 ERA this season... Joey Baker (20-8/2.30) and Peter Heller (20-11/3.78) also chalked up 20-win seasons... and reliable Rob Hutchins (17-11/3.37) rounded out the starting foursome.
Top Batters: SS Jeremy Hall (.310/7/86/84), CF Guy St. Laurent (.253/32/99/88), C Rodney Marshall (.301/23/78/69).

2. BEECHWOOD BOBCATS (94-60) (7 GB): the Bobcats did a great about-face by jumping from seventh place in 2039 to the runner-up spot this year... drastic improvement at the plate and on the hill did it... the bats went from .257 to .281 (3rd) and the ERA declined from 4.13 to 3.57 (5th)... they hit 222 HRs (1st) and scored 852 runs (2nd)... only Bayview in the Tycobbian West had more homers with 250 and only Crystal Lake of the Ruthlandian South scored more runs with 843... Beechwood hasn't made the postseason since 2027... overall the Bobcats have won only three pennants in their history.
Top Pitchers: All-Star Jimmy Herman (24-13/2.92) had a sterling season and paced the Ruthlandian Union with 24 victories... only Jeff Owens (28-7/2.48) of the North Hills Hawks had more in the IPA... vet Ken Arby (15-12/3.45), Dex Cornwall (13-8/3.57/2 saves) and Neil Palmer (17-9/4.00) were the other starters... Larry Carmen (10-5/3.07/9 saves) was effective in the bullpen and as a spot starter.
Top Batters: leading the Bobcat attack were RF Eddie Wilson (.323/40/109/103), All-Star 2B Cody Hanks (.321/26/104/89), CF Howie Baldwin (.275/36/106/86) and All-Star SS Mel Smith (.280/20/72/105).

3. SUGAR VALLEY RATTLERS (93-61) (8 GB): for the sixth consecutive year the Rattlers posted 93 or more wins, but only have one RU East flag to show for it in 2038, when they had to win 104 games... they have lost the pennant three times by just one game... still they have piled up nine division titles... Sugar Valley scores well with 783 runs (6th) and goes deep well with 182 HRs (6th)... considering the small venue they play in, the mound staff does well with a 3.63 ERA (8th)... and they handle the gloves well with a fine .978 FA.
Top Pitchers: Christopher Dunsberry (23-8/2.67) led the staff with help from Josh Wilkerson (20-9/3.29), Jeremy Blanchard (15-10/3.23) and Davey Brennan (14-10/3.31), who split time as a starter and reliever... still he managed 24 saves, which led the Ruthlandian Union and was third in the IPA behind leader Ronald Shaddock (12-6/2.27) of Summerland with 27.
Top Batters: superstud RF Bobby Gamble (.314/32/105/119), 1B Richie Strickland (.274/31/97/125), LF Tyler White (.256/29/97/68), star 3B Roger Hobbs (.298/22/76/88).

4. ELNORA ALL-STARS (88-66) (13 GB): had a better record in 2040, but dropped from third to fourth place in the standings... the RU East is a very tough division... Elnora last pennant came in 2035... the All-Stars got their only Pro Cup in 2033... the pitching got better this year with a 3.62 ERA (7th)... the offense was fine with a .276 BA (4th), 769 runs (9th) and 139 roundtrippers (20th-tied)... fielding was the best in the IPA with a .980 FA.
Top Pitchers: Dan Pitts (23-13/2.94) was the staff leader in wins... All-Star Stan Kivas (20-14/3.41) also had a 20-win season... vet Jeremy Sellers (16-14/3.88) rounded out the rotation, along with Phil Krieger (9-1/2.18/7 saves), who had a great year in the pen and as a spot starter... Sellers crossed the 200-win milestone this year and now boasts a 209-153 lifetime mark with a 3.34 ERA for 13 seasons... 20-year-old Jamie Pananga (1-0/2.14/11 saves) really stood out in the bullpen after moving onto the roster in July.
Top Batters: All-Star C Cannon Johnson (.315/20/97/93), LF Enos Conrad (.339/16/78/90), 1B Cooter Whitter (.301/26/98/75), CF Clive Kenyon (.285/14/67/88) and RF Keith Kalder (.300/13/66/63).

5. WYNNAMAC SUNDOWNERS (76-78) (25 GB): the club has been run-of-the-mill for the last decade, never close to contending... last RU East division title was in 2030... the Sundowners have one Pro Cup, won in 2008... in 2039 Wynnamac was fourth (20 GB)... they have good hitting (.268 BA-12th) and poor pitching (4.46 ERA-31st) this year.
Top Pitchers: Geoff Hobart (17-14/3.37) easily was the best starter... best of the rest was Mickey Allen (16-14/4.24)... in the bullpen it was 20-year-old Johnny Mitchell (5-4/2.30/15 saves).
Top Batters: 20-year-old budding superstat RF Nioka Inkamara (.316/48/145/104), who led the RU with 145 RBIs and 48 HRs... CF Darrell Donnelly (.292/14/81/103), 3B Duane Hudson (.282/8/63/90).

6. EASTSHORE ELEGANTS (71-83) (30 GB): third year in a row in the bottom half of the division... last good season was pennant-winning year 2034... glory years were 2016 and 2017 when the Elegants won two Pro Cups... good hitting and good power this season with .274 BA (6th) and 176 HRs (7th), but second-rate pitching with a 4.20 ERA (28th)... bad defense, too, with a .969 FA.
Top Pitchers: Teddy Noble (18-9/3.85) was the most effective starter... best in the bullpen was Kenny Chandler (4-2/1.85/8 saves).
Top Batters: All-Star SS Johnny Petrak (.313/21/69/105), superstar CF Scotty Lagrange (.295/30/91/86), 1B Paul Reed (.314/25/82/71), LF Al Rhodes (.323/16/54/70)

7. BELLE PLAINE MUSKETEERS (68-86) (33 GB): they have finished seventh (3 times) and eighth (4 times) in the last seven seasons... poor franchise with only one division flag long ago in 2009... nothing close to a Pro Cup... fair hitting with a .264 BA (16th), good scoring with 767 runs (10th) and very good power with 201 homers (4th)... but horrific pitching with a 5.25 ERA (32nd), the worst in the IPA.
Top Pitchers: Benny Lucas (18-14/4.11) was the only decent pitcher on the roster.
Top Batters: the Muskies do have some talented hitters in 24-year-old RF Boo Boudreaux (.331/40/92/110), 35-year-old CF Noel Martin (.285/30/91/89) and 37-year-old 1B Mitch Mason (.317/34/84/94).

8. MARSTON NINE (66-88) (35 GB): on a bad 12-year run with second-division finishes in 11 of the years... last year were in fifth place (21 GB)... statistically so-so club with .263 BA (17th) and 3.88 ERA (17th)... have only five pennants in its history... no Pro Cups.
Top Pitchers: Barry Sexton (15-15/3.28) only reliable starter... Webb Walden (6-5/2.70/9 saves) best in the pen.
Top Batters: 28-year-old All-Star SS Stan Mila (.346/26/114/94) had a career year... the only other dependable bats were 2B Philip DeWey (.271/17/77/70) and CF Marco Ameche (.265/19/62/65).

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 17, 2040

SLIGO SURGES BY COLFAX IN SEPTEMBER
The Sligo Rovers are repeat winners in the Ruthlandian West... they slipped past Colfax in September to win by one game... third place Stoner and Rocky Rapids both closed with a rush, but ran out of games and finished three games out of first... this was the Rovers' eighth division title... in 2021 they got their only Pro Cup trophy.

1. SLIGO ROVERS (84-70): they went to the RU League Championship Series last year before falling to eventual Pro Cup winner Waleska... the Rovers have a big task in the first round... they are matched up against powerful Cold Creek, one of the Pro Cup favorites this year... Sligo is a little above average in scoring with 738 runs (12th) and on the mound with a 3.65 ERA (9th)... possesses the best defense in the RU West with a very good .978 FA.
Top Pitchers: All-Star Scotty Price (22-9/2.78) is the staff ace with help from Randall Steele (18-14/3.74) and Tom Pierson (16-14/3.36)... Richie Joyner (1-2/2.09/3 saves) did well in middle relief.
Top Batters: most productive bats were All-Star 1B Denny Simmons (.337/17/80/97), CF Joe McGarrett (.291/22/84/77), SS Neil Mitchell (.273/21/67/102) and LF Rudy Putnam (.297/15/59/78).

2. COLFAX BLASTERS (83-71) (1 GB): the Blasters lost it with a September slump (7-8), while Sligo went 9-6... last year Colfax came in fifth and 9 GB... they have been a successful franchise with 11 pennants in their history... the only Pro Cup came in 2010... the Blasters depended on their pitching corps for success... they chalked up a 3.57 ERA (6th)... only have a fair offense with .261 BA (21st) and 137 HRs (23rd-tied)...
Top Pitchers: Ray Maxon (20-12/2.82), Bobby Porter (19-14/3.52) and Nilos Andris (19-13/3.34)... the bullpen was only mediocre with a 4.03 ERA (24th).
Top Batters: All-Star LF Chet Penn (.307/35/107/95) had another very good season... he got help from C Mitch Fullerton (.323/21/80/95), 3B Kristian McEly (.284/30/104/71) and 2B Gerry Sives (.297/4/48/84)... better-than-average defense with a .975 FA

3. STONER STARS (81-73) (3 GB): good year for the Stars as they snapped a five-year string of second-division finishes... tied for third, just three games off the pace... only two times have the Stars won the RU West flag... in 2007 and 2029... most of the time they are also-rans... rose up from last place this year with improved bats and much-improved pitching... .266 BA to .273 this year and 4.83 ERA to 3.87 this season... strong defense with a .977 FA.
Top Pitchers: Michael Keller (20-16/2.94), Sammy Slater (20-11/3.88) and Earl Marley (17-11/3.59) were reliable starters... they didn't get any help from the bullpen, one of the worst in the league with a 4.79 ERA (31st).
Top Batters: All-Star C Barney Swindell (.307/30/122/72) paced the Stars' hit parade with some help from 1B Don Cain (.319/10/88/90) and SS Ralph Sackett (.295/11/75/70)... RF Amos Mars also chipped in with a .327 BA, 14 HRs, 56 RBIs and 55 runs.

3. ROCKY RAPIDS SNAPPERS (81-73) (3 GB): the Snappers really made a run for the pennant with a splendid second half... they were 12 games under .500 going into July and the caught fire... they had six bad seasons in a row 2033-2038, then perked up last year winding up in the fourth spot (8 GB)... the Snappers have won only four division crowns, but did win the IPA Pro Cup in 2019... they have solid bats with a .268 BA (13th), 734 runs (14th) and 168 HRs (9th)... and impressive pitching with a 3.39 ERA (4th)... lackluster defense with a .970 FA.
Top Pitchers: 26-year-old Buster Noland blossomed this year with a 21-7 record and a fine 2.79 ERA... Buster is the son of Junior Noland and the grandson of legendary fireballer Ryan Noland... both elder Nolands managed the Snappers... Junior also played and compiled a 169-144 record with a 3.46 ERA in his 11 IPA seasons... Nolan holds all of the amateur league strikeout records... 24-year-old Jamie Taylor (21-14/2.92) had a super season, too... 39-year-old Janek Zoldak (6-6/2.59) missed four months of the season with an arm injury and was a huge loss... Zoldak was a 20-game winner in 2039... he really boosted the staff upon returning in August... Ernie Butler (7-8/3.12/12 saves) also did a good job in the bullpen.
Top Batters: SS Marty Featherstone (.306/27/90/66), LF Buddy Hamilton (.251/28/84/88), 3B Duncan Musselwhite (.321/4/37/71), 2B Nick Nova (.295/11/44/70)... 21-year-old 1B Masaharu Kawasaki (.274/19/72/58) did very well after moving into the starting line-up in May.

5. MIDDLEFIELD ROOSTERS (76-78) (8 GB): a 7-19 mark in June killed the season for the Roosters... so for the fifth time in six years, they wound up in the RU West second division... in its history Middlefield has taken six division flags, the most recent was way back in 2026... much-improved pitching made the Roosters more competitive this season... 4.40 ERA in 2039 fell to 3.88 this year... at the plate they don't make much contact (.246 BA/31st) or score a lot of runs (701/16th-tied), but they do go long with 216 roundtrippers (2nd)... good defense with a .975 FA.
Top Pitchers: Harry Morgan (11-5/3.36), James Long (16-17/2.89) and Hollis Dale (14-12/3.75) are the most productive starters... veteran Ray Owens (3-7/2.64/10 saves) is the top reliever.
Top Batters: 1B Cliff Patterson (.311/20/52/73) is the best contact hitter... the long-ballers are LF Norman Antonioni (.258/38/82/95), C Brad Alexander (.244/30/97/71) , RF Wes Stanley (.25/28/75/70) and CF Alejandro Dominguez (.260/26/70/92).

6. VOLUSIA VIGILANTES (73-81) (11 GB): after one year of great prosperity (86-69) - missing the pennant by just one game - the V's reverted back to a second-division club, falling to sixth place in the standings, 11 games out... four times in its history Volusia has won the pennant... but you have to go back to the inaugural 2001 IPA season for its only Pro Cup trophy... the Vigilantes had solid pitching with a 3.38 ERA (3rd)... but were only average at the plate with a .266 BA (15th)... only average defensively, too, with a .971 FA.
Top Pitchers: Drew Selby (19-17/3.20) had the most wins... hard-luck Raul Navarro (12-24/2.88) rarely got any run support... Skeeter Millham (9-6/2.54/6 saves) did well, too, half the year in the bullpen and half as a starter... number four Hector Vargas (14-14/3.60) and number five Andrew Arryn (13-13/4.03) were pretty fair as well... scoring runs was the Vigilantes' problem.
Top Batters: SS Duane Blayney really showed well after being obtained in a trade with Mahaska of the Tycobbian Union... Blayney led the club with a .320 BA, 28 HRs and 83 RBIs... he batted .341 for the V's in 43 games... All-Star CF Cazzie Carvalho (.285/19/72/81) started off well, but dipped some in the second half of the season... 2B Charlie Farmer (.287/11/64/77) was a decent bat.

7. FORT BENTON DEFENDERS (67-87) (17 GB): after 10 successive years in the first division, the Defenders took quite a tumble down to seventh place, ending up 17 games off the pace... Fort Benton was third in 2039 with an 81-73 mark... they have never won a Pro Cup and rarely have even taken a division crown... it has happened only once in 2037... the Defenders have mediocre bats and mediocre pitching... 'nuff said.
Top Pitchers: they do have two very good pitchers in Jordy Raeburn (20-13/3.27) and Augie Marquis (15-18/3.60)... at 34 Marquis is flirting with 300 victories... in 16 seasons he is 286-217 with a fine 3.08 ERA.
Top Batters: not much at the plate... no power (96 HR/31st)... RF Cayman Crittenden (.289/16/65/86) is the club leader in BA, HRs, RBIs, runs and stolen bases (46 SB)... he gets a little help from 3B Mitch Hamilton (.285/6/65/71), C Hunter Glenholmes (.265/10/61/75), 1B Oscar Pendleton (.293/10/61/55).

8. FOREST CITY LUMBERJACKS (56-98) (28 GB): the 'Jacks have won only two pennants in the club's history (2002 and 2013)... no Pro Cups... a losing record the last three years... bad offense, bad pitching and average glove work (.971 FA)... fairly decent power with 146 HRs (15th)... wound up in the RU West cellar this season... worst record in the Ruthlandian Union with 98 losses... only Oxford in the Tycobbian North with 104 defeats was worse.
Top Pitchers: Walter Gibbons (21-12/3.54) had a remarkable year for a last-place club.
Top Batters: 2B Kelly Hardison topped the team with a .341 BA, chipping in with 20 HRs, 80 RBIs and 83 runs... other fairly good bats were C Bob Brisdon (.292/24/79/83), LF Ronnie Pollet (.288/24/81/70), 1B Pistol Pete Picard (.285/20/61/57).