ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, July 24, 2001

Around the IPA
Tycobbian Union - East Division

Hard times have fallen on the Ozarka Naturals. They were right at the top of the TU East until June, holding first place much of the time. The Nats played outstanding baseball in May with a 20-12 record, dipped drastically to 12-19 in June and are 12-12 thus far this month. They are currently in fourth place, 7 games off the pace, but still in striking distance of first place.

Manager Joe Mac Carney has a club that is the pits when it comes to hitting. Ozarka is batting a pathetic .239 on the season, the worst in the IPA, but they do top the division with 100 home runs. They are last in runs scored. Pitching-wise the Nats are fifth with a 3.98 ERA and they are next-to-last in defense with a .974 fielding percentage.

Thank goodness, the Naturals have some pitching. Carney has some talent on his staff, headed by his fabulous closer Alex DiMaggio (8-4 1.17) with 10 saves in 32 games, Yasuyuki Nakagawa (10-10 3.36) with 11 complete games and two shutouts, Tony Didriksen (9-7 3.61) with two shutouts and Luther Hatch (9-10 3.68) with 13 complete games. Newcomer Sid Hyder (4-2 3.35) also has done well in his six starts. Recent roster add Billy Krsnich (1-1 1.64) has looked good so far in his seven relief appearances. Krsnich is only 17 and is sloted in middle relief along with Donnie Young (5-8 4.43) and Jackie Cunningham (0-2 4.17). Ozarka has also just signed a 26-year-old righthander Marvin Gunn, who purportedly throws a 95 mph fastball.

The Nats have only three dependable batters: All-Star third sacker Doug Cunningham (.267/22 HR/67 RBI/52 R), second baseman Duane Starr (.291/9 HR/41 R/49 R) and center fielder Teddy Braun (.285/9 HR/31 RBI/54 R). Carney has gotten home runs out of first baseman Floyd Snow (.229/17 HR/54 RBI) and left fielder Ronnie Patterson (.238/16 HR/42 RBI/61 R/23 SB), but very little in way of batting average.

Fourth place is where Ozarka is likely to finish in the standings. Pitching alone can't do it. You have to be able to score runs. The Naturals just don't have the players to do any better.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, July 24, 2001

Around the IPA
Tycobbian Union - East Division

It hasn't been a good year for Rodrigo Alejandro, skipper of the Luxora Zorros and July made it worse. The Z's compiled a 9-16 this month and have fallen 11.5 games out of first place into 5th place.

Like most teams in the pitcher-heavy Tycobbian Union East, Luxora could use some good hitters and most definitely some more longball hitters. The Zorros are hitting .256 as a team, but have only 54 home runs, by far the worst total in the division. Scoring runs is a big problem for them, ranking fifth in the division.

But Alejandro has some quality pitching with his ace closer Roberto Martinez (8-3 2.00), who has three saves and 33 game appearances. In the starting rotation Keith Callahan (9-8 3.30) and Johnny Montel (7-11 3.42) have done quality jobs, excellent at times. They both have two shutouts this season. Chris Pierce (8-9 3.86) pitched very well early, but has been shelled in his last four starts and is in danger of going to the bullpen. One bright spot has been Tito Tovares (1-3 1.90), who just moved into a starting role and has lost three in a row, 2-0, 1-0 and 2-1. It looks like the Z's have found a fine hurler. They just need to find a few good runs to help him out.

In short and long relief Andy Stevens (3-6 3.72) has been adequate. Former starter Francisco Fernandes (6-8 4.41) may have found his niche in the bullpen after floundering as a starter.

Luxora's best bats belong to All-Star catcher Eric Richter (.325/3 HR/44 RBI/38 R), first baseman Paul Hallenbeck (.322/20 D/4 T/14 HR/57 RBI/44 R) and All-Star left fielder Pedro Vizquel (.299/27 D/4 T/4 HR/. New shortstop Vince Cooper (.319/1 HR/15 RBI/16 R) has given Alejandro good contact hitting and solid defense since coming over in a trade with the Fairfax Frogs of the TU West. He has looked good in his 35 games. Third baseman Rico Vina (.290/21 D/1 T/12 HR/49 RBI/49 R) has been a solid contributor this year. Left fielder Tommy Fortunato (.258/7 Hr/41 RBI/57 R/33 SB) and second baseman Paco Benitez (.253/2 HR/29 RBI/41 R/29 SB) speed on the bases, but need to hit for a better average. Benitez is a fine gloveman, too.

A couple of sluggers would do wonders for Luxora, but they would have to part with pitchers to get them. Fifth or sixth looks like the most likely finish for the Zorros this season.

The Hartsdale Hellcats had a good April (6-4), but it has all been downhill since. Manager Zim Donner's crew has pretty much spent the season in the cellar and is likely to end up there. They are 10-14 in July. The Hellcats are near the bottom of every category. Fifth in hitting with a .248 batting average, fifth with a 3.98 ERA and tied for third with a .975 fielding percentage.

Hartsdale doesn't have an All-Star or a .300 hitter. Donner's best batters are second baseman Francisco Abreu (.282/15 D/0 T/19 HR/60 RBI/55 R) and third baseman Whiz Weaver (.278/22 D/1 T/16 HR/51 RBI/42 R). Weaver is an outstanding defender, too. After them Donner only has journeyman players: left fielder Jay Luna (.275/24 D/6 T/2 HR/35 RBI/47 R/13 SB), center fielder Greg Reynolds (.267/21 D/4 T/10 HR/30 RBI/49 R/31 SB) and right fielder Mel Poe (.251/11 D/5 T/10 HR/38 RBI/40 R). All three are good outfielders.

The Hellcats mound corps is good and well-balanced. Gene Young (6-4 2.67) is a fine closer with 9 saves in 34 appearances. Phil Reed (9-5 3.05) is a very good starter, All-Star potential. He has lost his last two games by the scores of 2-1. Newcomer Tal Vaitkus (3-0 2.73) has done well in relief and now has been promoted to the starting rotation. In his first start he beat red-hot South Fork. Donner is expecting good things from the 17-year-old righthander.
Glenn Mann (7-13 3.75) has been the workhorse of the staff and has pitched well despite the number of losses. Mitch Yassen (2-2 3.57) looks likes he will be around awhile. He has turned in several good outings since joining the team a month ago. Middle reliever Jackie Bond (4-2 3.86) has been adequate and starter/reliever Danny Griffin (6-11 3.82) has pitched well, but suffered from run support like Mann.

Hartsdale could use improvement just about at every position, save for second and third. Donner needs about three more solid players to compete with the upper eschelon teams. His pitching is good enough, but the hitting need vast improvement. The Hellcats are going to be cellar-dwellers this year.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, July 24, 2001

Around the IPA
Tycobbian Union - West Division

The most dominating team in the IPA has been the Fairfax Frogs of the Tycobbian Union West. For most of the season they enjoyed a double-digit lead. Fairfax has slumped in July to an 8-16 mark, but still has a 6-game lead over the second place Bayview Vikings. The Arlon Champions and Blue Lake Blue Sox are tied for third, 8 games out. The La Claire Lynx are 10.5 games behind in fifth place and coming in last are the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers, trailing by 12.5 games.

Fairfax is number two in hitting with a .281 average, topped only by Bay St. Clair's .284. Bayview is third in batting with a .272 mark, Blue Lake comes in fourth at .265, Arlon is fifth with .255 and La Claire is last at .251.

The Arlon Champions are the top pitching team in the TU West with a 3.51 ERA, followed by La Claire at 3.64, Fairfax is third at 3.89, Blue Lake fourth with a 3.94 ERA, fifth is Bay St. Clair and last is the Bayview Vikings with a 4.29 ERA.

The top fielding club in the division is Bayview with a .981 percentage. three clubs are tied at .978: Blue Lake, Arlon and Fairfax. Number five is La Claire with a .976 fielding average. Sixth and last are the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers with a poor .973 percentage.

Harry Buckley's Fairfax Frogs have dominated the TU West with its hitting. All-Star right fielder Gregg Vincent (. 326/24 D/6 T/26 HR/77 RBI/61 R) leads the lineup with lots of help from All-Star third baseman Stan Cobb (.322/27 D/3 T/10 HR/63 RBI/67 R) and left fielder Gator Davis (.278/9 D/1 T/19 HR/70 RBI/49 R). But the good hitters don't end there. Shortstop Warren Lee (.321/19 D/1 T/6 HR/38 RBI/51 R), catcher Marv McCoy (.290/13 D/2 T/3 HR/23 RBI/29 R), backup outfielder Louie Ward (.299/17 RBI/21 R), second baseman Greg Inman (.286/19 D/1 T/2 HR/39 RBI/29 R), center fielder Billy Echevarria (.285/22 D/3 T/6 HR/34 RBI/58 R/19 SB) and first baseman Ernie Hutchinson (.257/24 D/10 T/6 HR/38 RBI/55 R) all have made important contributions.

Vincent, Lee and Echevarria are as good as they get as defenders, too.

The Fairfax pitching staff has benefited greatly with such a potent offense, but Buckley has some fine pitchers, too. One of his best is closer Takehide Takahashi (8-3 1.37) with 35 appearances and 11 saves. He has two fine All-Star starters in Robbie Meredith (10-5 2.97) and Jackie Leslie (12-8 3.74) with 10 complete games. Kaz Hayagawa (9-11 4.10) and Jimmy Dalton (8-7 4.58) have delivered fine starts occasionally, but have been inconsistent. Newcomer Bobby Ray Trent (2-2 2.79), signed a little over two weeks ago, is a comer. He has gone the distance in three of his four starts. Middle reliever Eddie Castillo (0-3 3.70), obtained in a trade with Luxora a month ago, has looked good in short relief.

In spite of the recent slid, the Frogs still are the class of the TU West and should be in the IPA Final Four come playoff time. Slugger Gregg Vincent has missed the last two weeks with an ankle injury, but he's fit and ready to go now. He was sorely missed from the lineup. Fairfax is not the same team without his presence and power.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, July 24, 2001

Around the IPA
Tycobbian Union - West Division

Just when the TU West's top team,Fairfax, finally had a downturn, the second place Bayview Vikings went into a tailspin at the same time. Both clubs have had dismal months. The Viks went 9-15 in July to the Frogs 8-16 and missed a golden opportunity to tighten up the race. Instead of closing the gap to 2-3 games, they are 6 games off the pace.

Manager Walter Johanssen's big concern this season has been starting pitching. Bayview is last with a sorry 4.29 ERA. But he thinks things are looking better with the trade a month ago for All-Star pitcher Jerry Harrison (11-6 3.28) from South Fork of the TU East in return for backup first baseman Keith Burke (.304/4 HR/23 RBI/34 R). Bayview has recently signed Tony Vardaman (1-0 2.95) and Ken Fairchild (1-1 3.5) and both have shown well in relief roles. Vardaman has been promoted to a starter. Paul Hood (8-4 2.78) has also been a standout on the hill for Johanssen. He and Harrison give him a strong 1-2 punch. The Vikings number 3 starter is Frank Wells (8-7 3.90). He has been inconsistent, but is a reliable pitcher. Wells has done well in his last three outings. Fairchild will be a spot starter and long reliever. In the bullpen Buzzy Lewis (4-6 3.14) tops the IPA with 15 saves and 41 relief appearances. However, middle relievers have not done well. Johanssen now has several former starters handling those roles and he looks for improvement there as well. Jesus Carvajal (9-8 4.64), Adrian Strom (6-4 4.76) and Charley Andrews (5-4 5.17) will hold down those slots.

Johanssen is blessed with several outstanding hitters. Bayview batters are third in the division rankings with a .272 batting average, sparked by All-Star second baseman Alan Hansen, an outstanding contact hitter and gloveman. Hansen is flirting with the .400 mark and leads the IPA with a .398 mark. He has 23 doubles, 5 triples, 1 home run and has driven in 34 runs, while scoring 87 times and stealing 39 bases. Hansen tops the IPA in hits, runs and stolen bases. All-Star first baseman Doug Cunningham (.299/14 D/0 T/30 HR/91 RBI/66 R) is first in homers and RBIs and handles the glove well, too. In center field the Viks have another fine defender and hitter, Phil Kanaan (.299/18 D/6 T/8 HR/49n RBI/61 R/13 SB).

Left fielder Glenn Burns (.292/21 D/2 T/7 HR/56 RBI/41 R) and right fielder Dean Howell (.292/27 RBI/31 R/12 SB/63 G) are better-than-average outfielders. To inprove the infield, second string third baseman Vic Boldt (.257/14 RBI/11 R) was obtained from Colfax for backup catcher Jose Hernandez (.276/9 RBI/7 R). Boldt will make them better on defense and give them more power at bat. He will takeover at third immediately.

At shortstop, Shorty Richards (.249/21 D/6 T/9 HR/43 RBI/57 R/18 SB) has been a productive hitter and fielded his position well. Help is needed at catcher. They have provided little offense this season. Bayview just signed 18-year-old backstop Hank Bethel and he will be given a chance to compete for the spot. He hits with power and is a good defender.

Even with all of these changes, on paper the Vikings don't seem to match up to the talent of the Fairfax Frogs. Bayview is destined to battle the Arlon Champions and Blue Lake Blue Sox for the runner-up spot in the Tycobbian Union West pennant chase. A second to fourth place finish could be in the cards.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, July 24, 2001

Around the IPA
Tycobbian Union - West Division

The Arlon Champions have taken a turn for the better this month with a 14-10 record in July and have climbed to within two games of second place and 8 games of first place. Manager Gary Louis' crew is now tied with Blue Lake for the third spot in the TU West. Arlon's strength lies in its mound corps. The Champs have the best team ERA with a strong 3.51 ERA. However, they are fifth in batting with a .255 mark, but are near the top with 88 homers, second to Fairfax's 90.

Closer Jeff Nieman (7-5 1.54) has been phenomenal in 29 games with a microscopic ERA and 6 saves. In the starting rotation All-Star Craig Smith (11-7 3.22) has been the top twirler for Louis. Ace Howe (7-9 3.38) and Woody Fitzgerald (6-6 3.72) have pitched well. Ray Hunt (5-9 4.01) had good outings until recently and in now relegated to the bullpen. But he is dependable. Connie Gavagan, Arlon's newest starter, just joined the club a month ago and sparkled from the beginning, tossing two shutouts. In his two losses, he was beaten 2-1 and 4-0. Skipper Louis sees a good future for his budding 19-year-old righthander.

Rod Kelley (5-2 3.75) has been the Champions main long reliever and he has done a capable job in 33 games. The other two reliever spots have gone to 19-year old Kurt DeHaan (2-0 4.94) and 20-year-old Tony Zanetti (0-0 3.38), who have been added to the roster in the last month. Zanetti is scheduled to be used as a spot starter as well, mainly for second games of doubleheaders. So far, the youth movement has paid off for manager Gary Louis.

Scoring runs is a major problem for the Champions and they will have to make a marked improvement there for them to become a contender in the division. All-Star left fielder Matt Merrill (.315/18 D/7 T/17 HR/56 RBI/57 R/12 SB) and center fielder Jerry Keller (.290/22 D/4 T/14 HR/71 RBI/53 R/8 SB) have led the Arlon attack with a little help from second baseman Kurt Detwiler (.309/21 D/2 T/5 HR/34 RBI/59 R/9 SB), shortstop Bama Hartley (.269/13 D 1 T/7 HR/34 RBI/42 R) and right fielder Andy Pettorini (.333/10 D/4 T/4 HR/20 RBI/29 R). It is hard for Merrill and Keller to carry the ballclub. They need help. The Champs recently traded for good-hitting third baseman, Bubba Tate (.333/10 D/2 T/5 HR/34 RBI/15 R). They got him from Bay St. Clair in return for Hal Meissner (1-1 4.05), a 17-year-old pitcher. Tate is 33. If he could can supply and an occasional longball, hit for high average and drive in runs, he could be the catalyst to make the Champions a contender and move them up in the standings.

Defensively Arlon is solid at most positions. The Champions are tied for second with a .978 fielding percentage. Catcher Smoke Zakharov (.996) is excellent, first baseman Brad Ray (.990) is solid, second baseman Detwiler (.973) is good and shortstop Hartley (.983) is excellent. In the outfield, Merrill (1.000), Keller (.982) and Pettorini (.982) play their positions well. Third base is the only weak link.

Arlon needs a better-hitting catcher and first baseman. They are woefully weak at both positions. Good pitching may not be enough to jump ahead of second place Bayview and challenge Fairfax. The Vikings hitting makes them superior to the Champs. But Arlon might be able to stave off Blue Lake and hold on to third place. They have better pitching than the Blue Sox.

A third-place finish is the forecast for the Arlon Champions.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, July 24, 2001

Around the IPA
Tycobbian Union - West Division

Rob Jackson's Blue Lake Blue Sox are tied for third place with Arlon, but they are playing like a first place club right now. The Blue Sox are 7-3 over the last 10 games, took 2 of 3 from the first place Fairfax Frogs and are 14-11 in July. Still they are 8 games behind in the standings.

Thus far in the season Blue Lake is just an average ballclub with a .265 batting average, fourth in the TU West, and just an average club with a 3.94 ERA, also fourth in the rankings. They have good power, tied for second with 88 roundtrippers, and good fielding, tied for second with a .978 percentage.

Topping the Blue Sox at bat are All-Star center fielder Donnie Frazier (.291/15 D/3 T/16 HR/52 RI/54 R/4 SB), All-Star third baseman Timmy Smith (.324/18 D/5 T/11 HR/45 RBI/42 R), first baseman Fred Taranto (.302/23 D/2 T/12 HR/41 RBI/49 R) and second baseman Ken Bennett (.266/17 D/2 T/16 HR/59 RBI/42 R/5 SB). Other contributors are left fielder Greg Boone (.295/21 D/0 T/3 HR/30 RBI/61 R/9 SB) and right fielder Fred Collins (.288/17 D/3 T/8 Hr/29 RBI/42 R/17 SB). Scoring runs has been a big problem Rob Jackson's team. Blue Lake is a very distant fourth in the division, having chalked up only 416 runs this year. Fairfax leads with 490, Bayview is second with 477 and Bay St. Clair is third with 451. New right fielder Doyle Osborne may pep up the attack. In 10 starts he is hitting .320 with 2 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run, 7 runs batted in, scored 8 times and stolen 3 bases.

A big plus for the Blue Sox is two very fine All-Star starters, Bennie West and Jay Clay. Lack of scoring has especially hurt them. West (11-9 3.04) and Clay (11-4 2.76) could have 3-4 more victories with better run support. Manager Rob Jackson has been hard put to find his #3 and #4 starters. He has tried nine pitchers in those slots so far. Previous starters still on the roster, Clint McPherson (3-5 4.46) and Derek Manetti (6-8 4.47), are both now middle relievers. Neil Krogstad (2-0 2.79) and Mickey Dwyer (2-1 3.02) are the latest additions to Jackson's starting rotation. Blue Lake is strong at the closer position with Russ Courtney (5-3 2.51) with 11 saves in 36 appearances.

The keys to success for the Blue Lake Blue Sox can be found in scoring more runs and finding a starter or two to go with West and Clay. If Jackson can do that, his club could be in the fight for second with Bayview and Arlon. The Blue Sox could end up anywhere from second to fourth in the TU West this season.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, July 24, 2001

Around the IPA
Tycobbian Union - West Division

Rip Calkin's La Claire Lynx started the season like wildfire, running off 9 wins in the first 10 games, but it has all been downhill ever since. The Lynx are in fifth place, 10.5 games in back of the top team, the Fairfax Frogs. But they are in danger of falling into the basement. Bay St. Clair, the current tenant, has made several positive changes in their roster and they are the hottest team in the IPA right now with 18 wins in the last 24 games. La Claire is only two games up on them. In July Calkin's club is only 10-15.

La Claire is last in team batting average in the TU West with a paltry .251 and third with 81 homers. The Lynx stand out with a fine 3.64 ERA, second to Arlon's 3.51 ERA. In fielding, they are rated next-to-last with .976 percentage.

From top to bottom Calkin has a good starter corps. Pat Daniels (9-5 3.56) is his biggest winner, followed by Tony Nygaard (5-7 3.21). Two new signees have been added to the rotation in the last month and they are very impressive: Kimo Orlando (4-3 2.52) has made 8 starts and George Gentry (1-2 2.45) has started four times.

But when Calkin needs relief, the only thing he can summon lately is a Rolaid - there is nothing in the bullpen to nail down a victory. Closer Monoto Kishata (4-9 3.66) did a wonderful job early, but has tanked over the last two months. He still has 10 saves and has pitched in 31 games. Unless he quickly regains his form, La Claire may be forced to make a change. Rounding out the relievers are two former starters Nick Baumgartner (3-6 3.61) and Frank Lamoreaux (6-8 4.15), along with Andy Murray (3-1 3.31). All of them have been fairly effective in middle relief.

It has been a long season for the Lynx. Not a single player or pitcher made the All-Star team. Calkin's most productive batters have been left fielder Rich Hart (.246/13 D/3 T/17 HR/69 RBI/52 R), third baseman Luis Marquez (.282/!2 D/0 T/13 HR/48 RBI/43 R) and second baseman Darrell Boyce (.239/15 D/1 T/14 HR/47 RBI/42 R). They all hit the longball occasionally and drive in runs, but could use some help in run production.

Center fielder Lucky Collins (.317/20 D/3 T/3 HR/22 RBI/53 R/23 SB) has been a good fielder and good contact hitter. So has shortstop Dirk Lindahl (.277/12 D/4 T/7 HR/42 RBI/53 R). At first base Francisco Robles (.286/13 D/5 T/7 HR/35 RBI/31 R/12 SB) has impressed at bat and in the field since coming to the Lynx in a trade from Glasco a month ago for pitcher Jerry Smith (11-10 4.00). Calkin has high hopes for right fielder Antonio Guerrero (.300/3 D/1 T/0 HR/5 RBI/6 R) who was picked up in a swap with Cape Coral for slick-fielding shortstop Kenny Hall (.230/4 HR/16 RBI/14 R). Both have played sparingly this season.

La Claire is not a very strong team. Last place is a good possibility for them in this inaugural Islandian Pro Alliance season.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, July 24, 2001

Around the IPA
Tycobbian Union - West Division

The hapless Bay St. Clair Buccaneers made big splash in the Islandian Pro Alliance with a huge 4-for-1 trade in mid-June. Since then they have become the scourge of the Tycobbian Union West, going 18-6 in July, the best record by far. GM/Manager Guy Rondre took a big gamble trading one of the best hitters in the IPA for four quality players in an effort to turn the club around. He traded All-Star first baseman Maury Smith (.354/26 D/2 T/11 HR/64 RBI/65 R) for three pitchers, starter Duncan McFalls (7-3 3.23), reliever/starter Kenny Metcalf (4-2 3.88) and reliever Jeremiah McDonald (1-2 3.12), and outfielder Jose Valenzuela (.288/21 D/4 T 8/HR/39 RBI/48 R/6 SB). Rondre also brought in George Lyons (.255/12 D/1 T/18 HR/54 RBI/55 R), a power-hitting first baseman, from Arlon, and sent outfielder Andy Pettorini (.333/10 D/4 T/4 HR/20 RBI/29 R) in return. Rondre got power and gave up a Punch-and-Judy hitter. It has worked well for both teams. Arlon needed someone to get on base and got it in Pettorini, who is also an excellent outfielder to boot.

Since then, the Buccaneers have gone from 20 games out of first to 12.5 games off the pace. They are still in last place, but won't be there long if they play anywhere near the current pace.

Bay St. Clair is the top hitting team in the TU West with a .284 batting average, which sounds great, but they are a contact team, not a power team. If they had one or two home run hitters, the Bucs would be unbeatable.

The Buccaneers are paced by second baseman Tony Mann (.327/14 D/1 T/7 HR/45 RBI/60 R/9 SB), shortstop Chuck Hankins (.320/10 D/1 T/11 HR/43 RBI/52 R/20 SB), left fielder Charley Moon (.292/24 D/5 T/13 HR/51 RBI/64 R/11 SB), right fielder Jose Valenzuela (.288/21 D/4 T/8 HR/39RBI/48 R/6 SB), first baseman George Lyons (.255/12 D/1 T/18 HR/54 RBI/55 R), catcher Jake Singleton (.309/16 D/0 T/1 HR/36 RBI/37 R) and center fielder Nickie Friedrich (.290/23 D/5 T/0 HR/24 RBI/37 R).

The Buccaneers have added two more new players to the lineup. Center fielder Wayne Latham (.423/2 D/3T/2 HR/14/RBI/14 R) has played in 12 games and performed extremely well, while third baseman Ed Albrecht (.294/2 D/0 T/0 HR/3 RBI/7 R) had played in 10 games and done well. They add more offense and more defense. They replaced Nickie Friedrich (.290/0 HR/24 RBI/37 R) and Bobby Tracy (.325/1 HR/20 RBI/22 R).

On the mound Rondre has regrouped, too. Since taking over the closer role in mid-June, Chris Van Arden (3-1 1.10) has been stunning with 5 saves in 10 relief appearances. 10 days ago he traded for 17-year old Hal Meissner (2-1 2.54) from Arlon for third baseman Bubba Tate (.325/5 HR/29 RBI/14 R) and put him directly into the starting rotation and he has been very impressive. Jeremiah McDonald (1-2 3.12) has been installed as his long reliever and has done very well. The trades have worked magically so far.

Bay St. Clair's ace is All-Star Norm Gross (12-7 3.48). Rondre switched reliever Adam Lundgren (5-3 3.19) to the starting rotation and he has run off a 5-2 record in the last month. Duncan McFalls (7-3 3.23) has fit in nicely as the number three starter.

Rondre has dependable hurlers in middle relief, too. All are ex-starters: Sean Lawrence (2-8 3.71), Kenny Metcalf (4-2 3.88) and Gary Robinson (6-9 4.43). All of them have done better in relief roles.

The future is looking good for the Bucs, but they turned it around too late for this season. 12.5 games is almost impossible to make up, but third place is not out of the question. Bay St. Clair will play a role in deciding who wins the Tycobbian Union West flag.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, July 24,2001

Teams Jockeying for the Stretch Run, Trading Spree
During the All-Star break, all of the contenders in the four IPA divisions tried to fill holes and to bolster their chances of winning the division title or at least a wild-card spot in the IPA Final Four Playoffs, scheduled to begin in about seven weeks on September 15. Eight trades were consumated during the two-day break.

Viks Get Catcher, All-Stars Get Pitcher
A trade between the Bayview Vikings and the Elnora All-Stars was made official this morning. The Bayview Vikings have sent 31-year-old catcher Tommy Harrell to the Elnora All-Stars in exchange for 30-year-old reliever Wally Tidwell. Batting .273 to date, Harrell has 4 home runs and 30 RBIs.
This year Tidwell has made 29 relief appearances with 6 saves. In 47.2 innings, he has fanned 35 hitters and recorded 3 wins and 6 losses with a 3.97 ERA.

Arlon and South Fork Swap Players
Officials for the Arlon Champions confirmed that they have traded 33-year-old right fielder Kris Gervais to the South Fork Stallions. In return, the Champions will receive 27-year-old reliever Burnell Bradford. This year Gervais is hitting .252, produced 16 RBIs and 5 home runs, scored 15 times and gotten on base at a .342 rate.

Marston Deal for Closer, Trades Rich for Sellers
The Colfax Blasters have parted ways with 30-year-old reliever Walt Sellers, sending him to the Marston Nine for 26-year-old right fielder Rodney Rich. The Blasters general manager confirmed the deal in an announcement this morning. Sellers has nailed down 8 saves for the year. He has also totaled 50 strikeouts and 25 walks in 61 innings while registering a 3.25 ERA and a 2-5 won-lost record. In 2001 Rich is batting .362 with 1 home run in 26 games, mainly pinchhitting roles. Rich has started 12 games this year for the Nine.

Claxton and Sugar Valley Agree to Trade
The Claxton Diamonds traded 23-year-old first baseman Ron Armstrong to the Sugar Valley Rattlers for 34-year-old left fielder Nick Price. Officials from both teams seem to be pleased with the deal. Armstrong is hitting .333 in 2001 with 1 home run, 3 RBIs and 5 runs scored. He has 11 hits in 33 at-bats and played in 17 games. In the current season, Price has put up a .254 batting average with 17 hits, 2 home runs, 7 RBIs and scored 9 times. The Diamonds turned right around and dealt Price to Colfax for catcher Howie Peterson.

Claxton Trades Price to Colfax for Peterson
The Claxton Diamonds have finalized a deal with the Colfax Blasters for the services of 25-year-old catcher Howie Peterson. In exchange, the Blasters will receive 34-year-old left fielder Nick Price. Both players were backups on their respective teams. So far this year Price has 2 home runs and a .254 batting average. Peterson is currently hitting at a .231 pace with 1 home run, 20 RBIs and has scored 18 times.

Ninjas and Lumberjacks Trade
The rumor has been going on for a while now, but today it was made official. The Ginza Ninjas sent 20-year-old reliever Knucks Nomellini to the Forest City Lumberjacks for 21-year-old center fielder Nick Winters. Looking at his season stats to date, Nomellini has 1 save in 6 relief appearances with a 1-0 record and 2.35 ERA. So far this year Winters is batting .318 with no home runs. Winters has only played 13 games.

Colfax and Bayview Make a Deal
A swap between the Colfax Blasters and the Bayview Vikings was announced today. The Colfax Blasters have traded 27-year-old third baseman Vic Boldt to the Bayview Vikings for 33-year-old catcher Jose Hernandez. Boldt is currently hitting at a .257 pace with 1 home run, 14 RBIs and has scored 11 times. This season Hernandez is batting .276 with 1 home run. His totals include 9 RBIs and 7 runs scored. Both players have seen limited action.

Mitchell and Kaminski Swapped
The Far Mountain Redhawks dealt 32-year old starting pitcher Vance Mitchell to the Valmara Vipers for 24-year old second baseman Steve Kaminski in a straight swap. Officials from both teams were beaming with the deal. In 2001 Mitchell has posted a record of 5 wins and 4 losses with a 3.73 ERA. He has appeared in 16 games and struck out 43 in 60.1 innings. Kaminski has collected 40 hits for the Redhawks in 24 starts this year, 2 of them home runs. He has also netted 12 RBIs and scored 18 runs while batting .345.

[Eugene Church]

Islandian Pro Alliance

Wednesday, July 25, 2001

Ruthlandian Union - North Division

Top 2 Clubs Battle, Colfax Edges Redhawks in 12
Second place Colfax chopped a game off first place Far Mountain's lead in the opening game of a five-game set at Sky High Stadium with a 2-1 verdict in 12 innings. With one out first baseman Dennis Cole (.333) doubled, then scored on shortstop Warren O'Reilly's (.251) RBI single to cut the Redhawk lead down to 2.5 games. It was a great pitching duel between Flash Guidry of Colfax and Far Mountain's Bud Ford. They battled to a 1-1 draw over ten innings before each left for a pinchhitter. Guidry (11-10 3.02) struck out 8 and walked none in his stint, while newcomer Ford (0-0 0.00), just signed this week, was outstanding in his first game in the IPA. The 29-year-old righty fanned 11 Blasters, yielded only four hits and walked just two. The only run he gave up was unearned. Colfax took the lead in the second inning on Cole's double. He scored when the next batter hit a groundball to shortstop Al Nixon and he made a wild throw on the play. The Redhawks evened it up in the seventh on a single by third baseman Johnny Strickland (.280) and a triple by right fielder Sid Cameron (.400). Cameron just joined Far Mountain and got two hits in his first game. Cole led the Blasters with two hits. Closer Vic Jankovich (3-0 0.92) continued to be invincible. He retired all six batters in order for the victory. Mike McCabe (4-3 2.64), just promoted to closer, took the loss. He gave up four hits and the winning run in his two innings.

Far Mountain (54-45) is still 2.5 games up on the second place Blasters (51-47), who won only for the second time in the last ten games.

V's Collins Blanks A's 2-0 on 4-Hitter
Volusa southpaw Lenny Collins got his first shutout in the IPA, blanking Glasco 2-0 on a four-hitter at Athletics Field and gaining his 10th win of the year. It was his fifth consecutive victory and the A's 8th loss in a row. Collins racked up four Ks and walked one. He outpitched Jerry Smith (11-11 3.92), who allowed only five hits, fanned four and walked two in defeat. First baseman Alejandro Salazar (.297) scored both runs. He was driven in by third baseman Chaco Rivera's single in the second frame and doubled in by catcher Jorge Rosado (.267) in the seventh.

The Vigilantes (51-48) edged closer to the lead in the Ruthlandian Union North, trailing first place Far Mountain by just 3 games now. Glasco (46-51) dropped its 8th straight game and fell 7 game behind.

All-Stars Win 6th Straight, Top Vipers 9-8
The two hottest ballclubs in the RU North faced off at State Fair Park in Elnora. Both the last place All-Stars and fourth place Valmara had won their last five games and one of the streaks had to go. The homestanding All-Stars were victorious, edging the Vipers 9-8. Elnora jumped out to a 6-1 lead after two innings and 7-4 after six, but Valmara fought back twice to tie the game, 7-7 after seven innings and 8-8 after eight. However, the All-Stars were not to be outdone. Pinchhitter Vic Gelder (.250) doubled in pinchrunner Harry Wright (.259) with the winning run in the last of the eighth. Starter Tyrone Gray turned reliever and closed it out with a runless ninth and got his first save of the season. A new addition to the mound staff, Eli Keeton (0-1 11.25), took the loss, allowing two runs and two hits in one inning. The game was really one-sided in base hits with the Vipers rapping out 14 to Elnora's 6. Valmara stranded 10 baserunners, while the All-Stars left only four on. Second baseman Gil Foster (.348) topped Elnora with 3-4 with three runs scored and two driven in. Left fielder Quincy Peterson (.291) batted in two runs with his 18th homer. Second baseman Scotty Peterson hammered a three-run roundtripper for the Vipers, third baseman Cazzie Karunas (.167) hit a two-run shot and catcher Yoshi Motsuzuki (.297) had a solo homer. Right fielder Jet Kazmarek (.318) swatted four hits and scored twice, while Motsuzuki has three hits.

It was last place Elnora's 6th win in a row. The All-Stars (44-53) are now 10 games behind, while fourth place Valmara (49-49) is 4.5 games back.

[Eugene Church]

Islandian Pro Alliance

Wednesday, July 25, 2001

Ruthlandian Union - South Division

Marston Whips Waleska 4-2
On the road, first place Marston whipped Waleska 4-2 as Booger Burchfield and Walt Sellers teamed up to corral the Westerners. Burchfield (6-9 3.39) went seven innings for the victory, surrendering 10 hits, but pitching tough with men in scoring position. Sellers, just acquired in a trade, got his first save as a Marstonian. He got the last six outs for his 9th save, allowing no runs. Rusty Kraft (7-11 4.12) hurled a complete game in defeat, giving up just six hits, fanning seven and walking one. Right fielder Chris Deangelo (.272) knocked in a pair of runs and third baseman Roland Thomas (.368) and shortstop Don Nichols (.327) drove in the other two runs for the winners. Waleska left fielder Milt Carlson (.272) and first baseman Freddie Shelton (.290) each had an RBI.

Marston (56-41) is 10.5 games in front of fourth place Waleska (46-52). The Westerners are in now in a tough contest with Claxton (46-53) and Belair Beach (45-53), who are both within a game of overtaking them.

Sunbirds Fly By Lumberjacks 9-2
Playing in front of the friendly crowd at Bayside Park in Belair Beach, the Sunbirds soared to an easy 9-2 triumph over second place Forest City. After being exiled to the bullpen for about two months, Ray Watson (4-2 3.54) got another chance at starting and came through with flying colors for skipper Marty Pedrosa. Watson went the route and stopped the Lumberjacks on three hits, finishing up with six strikeouts and four bases on balls. Pacing the Belair Beach 14-hit attack were the top hitting tandem in the IPA, left fielder Nicky Swift and first baseman Phil Gravelli. Together they have hit 55 homers. Swift (.332) belted #33 today, tops in the IPA, and Gravelli (.343) delivered up #22. Gravelli had three hits and drove in three runs, while Swift has two hits and two RBIs. Vinny Edelman (9-8 3.36) was quickly disposed of by the Sunbirds, who knocked him out in the second inning after he has given up five runs.

Forest City (53-45) lost ground in the RU North pennant race, falling 4 games back of first place Marston (56-41). Belair Beach (45-53) continued to play well, though in the division cellar and 11.5 games out.

SV's Benson Wins 16th, Edges Diamonds 3-2
Sugar Valley second baseman Rudi Oliver (.340) cracked his 10th home run of the year in the last of the eighth to edge Claxton 3-2 at Farmers Memorial Stadium. It was one of four homers hit by the two clubs today. 25-year-old righthander Ron Benson (16-7 2.53) went the distance for his IPA-best 16th win of the season, giving up two solo homers, but nothing else. Benson fanned seven and walked two in the game to outduel young Sammy Melton (2-2 3.90), who also pitched a complete game, allowing three runs on eight hits, two of them roundtrippers, one of them to Benson (.188). Catcher Slingshot McFall (.293) drove in the other Rattler run. Left fielder Dan Molnar (.386) rapped Benson for both runs with two home runs.

Sugar Valley (48-49) is in the third spot in the RU South race, trailing by 8 games. Claxton (46-53) is fifth, 11 games off the pace and just a half-game out of last place.

[Eugene Church]

Islandian Pro Alliance

Wednesday, July 25, 2001

Tycobbian Union - East Division

Ginza Beats Ozarka 6-3 with 4-Run 5th
The top club in the TU East, the Ginza Ninjas, rallied from a 3-1 deficit with four runs in the bottom of the fifth to smack Ozarka 6-3 and win their 4th game in a row. Kazahiro Nakayama (9-2 2.85) and closer Ken Watkins (4-5 2.95) combined in a joint effort to beat the Naturals. For Nakayama it was his 4th consecutive victory. He worked seven innings, permitted three runs and eight hits with five strikeouts and three walks. Watkins registered his 8th save with a scoreless eighth and ninth innings. The Ninjas mauled Ozarka for 13 hits, 11 of them off losing pitcher Yasuyuki Nakagawa (10-11 3.44), who left in the seventh after giving up five runs. Five Ginzas collected 2 hits apiece. The Ninjas socked three doubles and a homer. Shortstop Shinjiro Aoki (.288), Kaz Ojima (.325) and Charlie Campbell (.300) got the two-baggers, while light-hitting second baseman Scoop McDonald hit his 4th home run of the season.

The Ginza Ninjas (56-42) moved 8 games ahead of fourth place Ozarka (48-50) with the win.

Z's Ease Past Stallions 3-2
The Luxora Zorros extended second place South Fork's losing skein to four with a 3-2 victory at De la Vega Stadium. Winner Keith Callahan (10-8 3.24) and loser Ken Conner (9-4 2.50) both pitched strong games with the only difference being left fielder Pedro Vizquel's (.301) two-run fifth-inning double. His hit put the Z's ahead to stay 3-2. Callahan struck out seven and issued two walks, while holding the Stallions to five hits. Conner gave up three runs - just one earned - on six hits, fanned five and walked four. Two costly errors led to South Fork's demise, both in the ill-fated fifth frame. Stallion right fielder Art Atkins (.312) sparked his club with two hits and an RBI, including his 7th roundtripper. New left fielder Kris Gervais (.246) hit a sac fly for the other run.

Runner-up South Ford (54-45) lost another game to first place Ginza (56-42) and dipped to 2.5 games back. Fifth place Luxora (44-53) is 11.5 games behind.

CC's Nagashima Shuts Out Hellcats 3-0
Cape Coral's stylish lefthander Katsuyuki Nagashima weaved his magic and shut out Hartsdale at Pioneer Park 3-0 today. Sparking the Hurricanes 9-hit offense was second baseman Andy Anderson (.285) with a two-run single in the fourth to snap a scoreless duel with Phil Reed (9-6 2.93) of the Hellcats. Shortstop Kenny Hall (.248) added the last run in the sixth with an RBI single. Nagashima (10-7) allowed just six hits, while walking two and fanning five. Reed only gave up one earned run in suffering his fourth consecutive defeat. It was Nagashima third straight victory and put a halt to the Hurricanes three-game slide.

Third place Cape Coral (50-48) trails first place Ginza (56-42) by 6 games and Hartsdale (42-56) dropped 14 games back with the loss. The Hellcats are last in the Tycobbian Union East.

[Eugene Church]

Islandian Pro Alliance

Wednesday, July 25, 2001

Tycobbian Union - West Division

Bucs Bump Off Frogs 4-2, Gross Wins 13th
The last place Bay St. Clair Buccaneers continue to roll. They took the opener of a 5-game series with first place Fairfax 4-2 at the Frog Pond as Norm Gross picked up his 13th victory of the season. Gross (13-7 3.35) tired in the seventh and needed help from Gary Robinson (6-9 4.42) to get the side out. Gross went six and two-thirds innings, gave up no runs and six hits, fanned eight Frogs and walked three. Closer Chris Van Arden (3-1 1.96) came on with a 4-0 lead and was treated harshly in the ninth as Fairfax mounted a fair comeback. He walked three and gave up four hits over two innings, but finally retired the Frogs. Bobby Ray Trent (2-3 2.74) pitched into the eighth inning, surrendering four runs and eleven hits, but only two of the runs were earned. Leading the Bucs at bat were first baseman George Lyons (.262), who went 3-for-4, including his 19th home run, second baseman Tony Mann (.332) with 3-for-4 and two RBIs and Charley Moon (.295) with 3-for-5. First baseman Earl Hutchinson (.259) knocked in both Frog runs with a double in the ninth. The Bucs outhit Fairfax 12 to 10.

After the game manager Guy Rondre told BNN that Gross developed a bad blister and would be out one-two weeks. Rondre said righthander Duke DeVree would take Gross place on the roster. DeVree would be used in relief with Jeremiah McDonald (1-2 3.12) moving into Gross' spot in the rotation.

Fairfax (56-42) lead over last place Bay St. Clair is now 11.5 games.

Viks Defeat Champs 6-2 with Wells Winner
Bayview righthander Frank Wells gave manager Walter Johanssen a good outing as he defeated Arlon 6-2 at Derby Downs, dropping them down to fourth in the standings. Wells (9-7 3.77) went eight solid innings, giving up only one earned run on seven hits with six strikeouts. Left fielder Glenn Burns, a 36-year-old vet, provided three RBIs with a double and a triple to pace the Vikings. Bayview's great second baseman Alan Hansen (.400) reached the .400 mark with 2-3 today. He also scored two runs. Backup first sacker Chauncey Quibedeaux (.300) went 2-for-4 in a rare start and drove in a run, subbing for slugger Dwayne Coleman (.299/30 HR/91 RBI), who got the day off. Craig Smith (1108 3.36) was tagged with the loss. He was shelled for five runs in seven innings with five walks. Left fielder Matt Merrill (.320) had three hits for the Champions and center fielder Jerry Keller (.292) had two hits and an RBI to led them at the plate.

Bayview (52-48) is in second place in the TU West standings and has a 3-game edge over Arlon (48-50). The Vikings trail first place Fairfax (56-42) by 5 games, while the fourth place Champs are 8 back.

Blue Sox West Stops Lynx 3-1
Blue Lake's All-Star power pitcher Bennie West stopped La Claire 3-1 on a 6-hitter. West (12-9 2.95) fanned six and walked three in a route-going performance. Backing him up with the bats were center fielder Donnie Frazier (.290), second baseman Ken Bennett (.268) and new third baseman Jamey O'Herlihy (.250), all with an RBI each. La Claire's Kimo Orlando (4-4 2.61) lost it, but pitched well, surrendering three runs and seven hits over eight innings. Orlando whiffed five and walk two batters. Second baseman Darrell Boyce (.239) put the only Lynx run on the scoreboard in the second inning with his 15th homer.

Blue Lake (49-49) took over undisputed possession of third place with the win. They moved ahead of the Arlon Champions (48-50) by a game. The Blue Sox are 7 games behind Fairfax (56-42) in the Tycobbian Union West Division, while Arlon is 8 games out of first.

[Eugene Church]

Islandian Pro Alliance

Thursday, July 26, 2001

Ruthlandian Union - North Division

Colfax "Walks Away " With Win Over Redhawks 9-2
The second place Colfax Blasters "walked away" with a 9-2 win over first place Far Mountain as the Redhawks walked 13 batters in the game, setting a new IPA record. It was Colfax's second straight win in the series and cut the Redhawks lead in the RU North to just 1.5 games. FM's starter Stan Lamoreaux gave up 10 bases on balls in his six and two-thirds innings. He was wild, but held the Blasters scoreless until the fifth when they tied the score at 2-2. Lamoreaux walked in the two runs in the inning. In the seventh he walked the bases loaded and that led to a four-run inning for Colfax. The Blasters added three more in the ninth to win "in a walk". Robbie Smith (7-6 3.10) tossed a complete-game victory, gave up nine hits and walked four himself, but was stingy with runs, allowing only two. Colfax only got six hits in the game, but it was enough. First baseman Dennis Cole (.332) was 1-1 with four walks and three RBIs, shortstop Wayne O'Reilly (.248) was hitless, but had two RBIs and newly-acquired catcher Jose Hernandez (.284) went 3-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs.

The 13 walks toppled the old mark of 11 for a nine-inning game set by South Fork on June 29 and tied by Valmara on July 19. Far Mountain and Colfax now hold the record for most walks in a game with 17, bettering 12 total walks by South Fork (11) and Ozarka (1) on June 29 and and equaled by Valmara (11) and Glasco (1) on July 19. The record for an extra-inning game is 11 by Sugar Valley in an 11-inning game against Forest City (6). They totaled 17 between them. The game was played on May 8.

Far Mountain's (54-46) lead in the division has dwindled to just 1.5 games over Colfax (52-47) with three games left in the series.

A's Finally Win, Snap 8-Game Losing String
It took manager McDuffie Hughes' Glasco Athletics quite some time to win a game -- they finally snapped an 8-game losing streak with a 6-4 triumph over the hot Volusia Vigilantes at Athletics Field. Righthander Jesse Balfour (9-9 3.17) worked a very strong seven and two-thirds innings, striking out a dozen V's and giving up only one earned run. He left ahead in the score 6-2 when he tired in the eighth and walked two batters. Closer Ray Cook was summoned in from the bullpen and promptly got the final out of the inning. Cook (3-4 2.03) got his 10th save, but it was not a thing of beauty - he staggered through the ninth, allowing two runs on a hit and two walks. Glasco was hot with the bats, piling up 13 basehits with shortstop Fran Eicher (.268) leading the way with two hits and two RBIs. Left fielder Ox Beauvais (.331), shortstop Kyle Ballentine (.300) and catcher Pete Kilgour (.237) each chipped in two hits and an RBI to aid the A's cause. Volusia got their runs from shortstop Scooter Perez (.380) with two hits and two RBIs, including a double, center fielder Alex Luna (.273) with 2-for-5 and an RBI and left fielder Lonnie Howard (.258) with a hit and an RBI. The Vigilantes numbered 9 hits to 13 for the Athletics. Lefty Raul Sandoval (10-11 3.36) got the loss in a poor outing, permitting five runs and nine hits in five-plus innings.

It was a tough loss for third place Volusia (51-49) as a win would have shaved another game off of Far Mountain (54-46) lead. The V's are 3 games out of first. Glasco (47-51) is fifth in the Ruthlandian Union North Division and is 6 games off the pace. The 8-game losing slump cost them dearly in the pennant chase.

All-Stars Win 7th In a Row, Rally for 5-4 Victory
Zarek Zalewski was cruising along with a 4-1 lead in the seventh and the game seemed to be over - but no one told the last place Elnora All-Stars. They jolted Zalewski and Valmara for four runs in the last of the seventh to come back and win it 5-4. Center fielder Harry Wright (.259) made it 4-2 with a single, pinchhitter Rusty Gilbert (.264) narrowed it to 4-3 with another single, then second baseman Gil Foster (.350) finished the job with a two-run double. Elnora's brand-new closer, 22-year-old righthander Taylor Gibbs (1-0 3.00) notched his first save in his second game, but it was not easy to get. He gave up a single and two walks in the eighth and ninth, but no runs, before finishing off the Vipers, getting a double-play ball to end the game with runners on first and second. Right fielder Jet Kazmarek (.320) had a single and a triple to bat in two runs for Valmara. The RBI leader in the IPA, center fielder Jan Szymanski (.270) tripled in his 98th run and second baseman Floyd Vinson (.305) got the other RBI. Zalewski (13-6 2.51) suffered the defeat, being hit up for eight hits and five runs in seven innings.

Fourth place Valmara (49-50) fell 4.5 games behind the top team in the division, the Far Mountain Redhawks (54-46), while Elnora (45-55) won for the 9th time in the last 10 games and is now only 9 games behind. They are the hottest team in IPA right now.

[Eugene Church]

Islandian Pro Alliance

Thursday, July 26, 2001

Ruthlandian Union - South Division

Marston Wins 3rd Straight, Nips Waleska 4-3
First place Marston rebounded from a 3-2 deficit with runs in the seventh and ninth to nip Waleska on the road 4-3 in 10 innings. Center fielder Tommy Reinhold (.305) was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a bunt, then scored the winning run on second baseman Ken Green's (.332) base hit. That gave the Nine their third win in a row and plunged the Westerners into a two-way tie for the basement. Closer Walt Sellers (3-5 3.00) notched the win with three scoreless innings in relief of Paul Azard (9-5 3.84), who allowed three runs and six hits in seven innings. Loser Gary Hill (9-7 4.28) worked all ten innings, gave up four runs and nine hits with 9 Ks and a walk. Third baseman Roland Thomas (.366) doubled in two runs in the first inning for the Nine, while Ronnie Horn (.290) tied the score at 3-all in the eighth with an RBI single. The Westerners were led by left fielder Big Hoss Burkhalter (.312) with a two-run first-inning blast, his 28th of the year. Second baseman Wiz Taylor (.302) added the third run with a double in the second, making it 3-2 in favor of Waleska. Marston had more hits in the game, topping the Westerners 10-7.

The Marston Nine (57-41) have the best record in the IPA and lead the Waleska Westerners (46-53) by 11.5 games in the Ruthlandian Union South standings. The defeat sent Waleska into a tie for last place with Belair Beach (46-53).

BB Bounces Back and Beats 'Jacks in 10 Innings
The Belair Beach Sunbirds bounced back and beat the Forest City Lumberjacks 4-3, by scoring two runs in the last of the 10th. A bases-loaded single by first baseman Phil Gravelli (.341) brought home the winning run and sent the Lumberjacks to a third successive defeat. The Sunbirds had to come back twice. They trailed 2-0 as late as fifth, then scored single runs in the sixth and seventh to tie it at 2-2. Forest City went ahead in the top of the 10th on third baseman Jesse Pearson's (.260) solo shot, number 7 for this season. It came off closer Lou Zanelli (8-7 3.62), who got credit for the victory with two innings of relief. Pearson's roundtripper was the only hit he surrendered. Timmy Brooks (4-4 1.75) blew the save and caught the loss. He gave up four hits and two runs in just two-thirds of an inning. The Lumberjacks got only five hits, while Belair Beach only got seven. Both starters pitched strong games. Sunbird starter Tiny Lindgren (2-1 3.43) allowed four hits and two runs in eight innings and All-Star Herm Bahr (11-6 3.26) held Belair Beach to just four hits and two runs in nine innings. Second baseman Rick Sullivan (.267) went deep for the Sunbirds and left fielder Chuck Hill notched his 24th for Forest City.

Belair Beach (46-53) is now not alone in the RU South cellar. Waleska (46-53) lost and dropped down into a tie for last place. Both ballclubs are now 11.5 games off the pace. With the loss, Forest City fell 5 games in back of first place Marston (57-41).

Szwak Stops Rattler 6-2, SV Tied for Last Place
It was a good win for manager Stacy Engel and his Claxton Diamonds. They whacked the Sugar Valley Rattlers 6-2 and avoided the division cellar. A loss would have given Claxton undisputed possession of last place in the RU South. Pitcher Johnny Szwak (10-5 3.71) brought his "A" Game to the ballpark today and broke his three-game losing steak. Szwak scattered eight hits, fanned four and walked four for his 10th win of the year. The Diamonds pelted three Rattler pitchers for 11 hits and were sparked by second baseman Donny McCoy (.343), who cracked four hits and first baseman Marty McCluskey (.306) with two hits and two RBIs. Sugar Valley's catcher Slingshot McFall (.296) belted his 7th homer to top the Rattlers. Harvey Hines (9-8 3.84) was hung with the loss, being shelled for four runs in the second inning.

The triumph gave Claxton (47-53) a half-game edge in the battle for fourth place. The Diamonds are 11 games out of first. Belair Beach (46-53) and Waleska (46-53) have the dubious honor of being tied for last place and 11.5 games behind.

[Eugene Church]

Islandian Pro Alliance

Thursday, July 26, 2001

Tycobbian Union - East Division

Ninjas No Match for Hatch, Nats Win 5-1
The first place Ginza Ninjas were no match for Ozarka's Luther Hatch today at Ninja Stadium. Hatch (10-10 3.55) halted them 5-1 on a scant three hits to put an end to the Ninjas four-game winning streak. The only run he gave up came on first baseman Kenshin Yamamoto's (.311) 17th home run. The Naturals countered that with roundtrippers by second baseman Duane Starr (.286) with a three-run rip and a solo shot by third baseman Doug Cunningham (.265). Cunningham hit his 23rd, while it was number 10 for Starr. Toshiharu Ito (10-4 2.53) sustained the loss, surrendering five runs on ten hits in eight innings of work. Ito had nine strikeouts and only one base on balls. Ozarka finally got to him for four runs in the seventh inning. They busted up a 1-1 ballgame and went on to win 5-1.

Ginza (56-43) saw its lead over second place South Fork (55-45) tumble to just 1.5 games. Ozarka (49-50) is in the fourth spot, 7 games back.

Stallions Rally Past Zorros 8-5
South Fork played like patsies for three innings and fell behind 5-0 to Luxora, then the Stallions rallied with 8 unanswered runs to sweep past the Zorros 8-5 to snap a four-game losing slide. Skipper Deroche "Lips" Leon got exceptional relief work from Irv Demas, Robby Rosario and Billy Joe Gordon. They held Luxora runless over the last seven innings to garner the victory. Demas (0-0 0.00) relieved in the second inning and stayed through the third, Rosario (0-0 0.00) worked the fourth and fifth frames with Gordon (1-5 2.75) getting his first win of the season with four shutout innings, pitching the sixth through the ninth. It was the first IPA appearances for Demas and Rosario. They were just signed to contracts during the All-Star break. South Fork slammed 14 hits and were paced by five players with a pair of hits each. Second baseman Rick Tsoukalis (.313) drove in three runs with center fielder Ronnie Lee (.310), first baseman Glenn Holliday (.287), catcher Darryl Burnett (.268) and pinchhitter Ken Robbins (.243) batting in the other runs. The Z's collected 12 hits and were led by first baseman Paul Hallenbeck (.322) with 3-5 and an RBI. Third baseman Rico Vina (.288), catcher Eric Richter (.321) and right fielder Lacey Tompkins (.310) also drove in a run apiece. The losing pitcher was Tito Tovares (1-4 2.17), who went seven innings and allowed ten hits and six runs, but only three earned.

Runner-up South Fork (55-45) narrowed the gap with first place Ginza (56-43) to just 1.5 games in the Tycobbian Union East race. Luxora (44-54) is fifth in the division, 11.5 games behind.

CC's Kelly Knocks In 4 in 6-4 Win Over Hellcats
Left fielder Rod Kelly homered and doubled to drive in four runs in Cape Coral's 6-4 triumph over Hartsdale in 12 innings. The double came off losing pitcher Danny Griffin in the final inning. Griffin (6-12 3.91) was battered for three hits and two runs and was pinned with the loss. Manager Huggy Miller's bullpen did their job with five fine innings. Joey Martin (0-2 3.29), Tony Archer (1-0 0.00) and Scotty Lohmeyer (2-5 4.19) held the Hellcats to no runs and three hits from the eighth inning to the twelfth. Archer went three innings for the victory, allowed only one hit and a walk and fanned three in his first appearance as the Hurricanes new closer. Scotty Lohmeyer got his 7th save, but gave up two hits in the bottom of the twelfth before he got out of it with a game-ending double play. Kelly (.304) and first baseman Rodger Wooten (2.92) led the Hurricane hitters with homers. Kelly hit his 17th and Wooten belted his 20th. Keeping Hartsdale in the game were center fielder Greg Reynolds (.271) with 4-for-6, including his 11th home run, and third baseman Whiz Weaver (.283) with three hits. Cape Coral collected 13 hits to 12 for Hartsdale.

The Hurricanes (51-48) are 5 games behind the top club, Ginza (56-43). Hartsdale (42-57) is last in the division, 14 games back.

[Eugene Church]

Islandian Pro Alliance

Thursday, July 26, 2001

Tycobbian Union - West Division

Bucs Takes Frogs 7-4 in 13 Innings
And the troubles continue in Fairfax. The Frogs fell to upstart Bay St. Clair 7-4 in 13 innings today at the Frog Pond for their seventh defeat in the last ten games. Left fielder Charley Moon (.295) delivered the game-winner with a deep sacrifice fly off of losing pitcher Takehide Takahashi (5-4 1.41) to score right fielder Jose Valenzuela (.283). The Buccaneers tacked on two more insurance runs when shortstop Chuck Hankins (.315) scored on a passed ball and catcher Jake Singleton (.308) lined a single to center to score second baseman Tony Mann (.333). Closer Chris Van Arden (4-1 1.99) came on in the eighth and blew a two-run lead in the ninth, but redeemed himself by shutting out Fairfax in the 10th, 11th and 12th. He got credit for the win with help from Sean Lawrence (2-8 3.68), who sat down the Frogs 1-2-3 in the last of the 13th for his second save of the year. Mann led Bay St. Clair with two hits, while scoring four times. Third baseman Ed Albrecht (.267) plated two runs. The Bucs only got 9 hits in all with Fairfax getting only 7. Starters for both teams pitched well with Adam Lundgren (5-3 3.13) holding the Frogs to two runs and three hits over seven and two-thirds innings and Kaz Hayagawa (9-11 4.06) allowing three runs on five hits in his eight innings of work.

Fairfax (56-43) needs to get out its funk soon. It's huge lead in the Tycobbian Union West Division has shrunk down to just 4 games over runner-up Bayview (53-48). Bay St. Clair (46-54) continues to improve and has won seven of ten games and are now close to escaping the dungeon in the division. The Bucs are 10.5 games off the pace.

Vikings Eke by Champs 6-5 with 3 Runs in 9th
It started out a dismal day for the second place Bayview Vikings, who trailed 5-1 after five innings, but they came on strong late in the game and eked out a 6-5 decision over Arlon with a three-run ninth. That made it three victories in a row for Bayview. With two outs left fielder Glenn Burns (.295) singled in two runs off Jeff Nieman to cop the win. Burns led the Vikings with three RBIs and a pair of hits. Shortstop Shorty Richards (.252) had 3-4 and scored two runs for the winners. First sacker Brad Ray (.242) had a good day for the Champs, going 3-for-4 with a homer, double and three runs batted in. Adrian Strom (7-4 4.63) got credit for the win by blanking Arlon in seventh and eighth innings with the save going to Wally Tidwell (3-6 3.88), who retired the side in order in the ninth for his 7th save. Nieman (7-6 1.64) was nailed with the loss, though two of the runs were unearned.

It was a good win for skipper Walter Johanssen's club as it enabled the second place Vikings (53-48) to get within four games of first place Fairfax (56-43). Bayview has won six of the last ten. Arlon (48-51) is headed in the other direction and has suffered seven setbacks in the last ten contests and is now in fourth place in the standings, 8 games back.

LC's Gentry Blanks Krogstad and Blue Lake 1-0
26-year-old righthander George Gentry bent a little but didn't break in his 1-0 shutout over the Blue Lake Blue Sox at Capitol Park Stadium in La Claire. Gentry (2-2 2.04) yielded eight hits, but was extra tough with men on base, fanning seven batters and walking just one. He beat young 20-year-old Neil Krogstad (2-1 2.50), who was touched for ten hits and one run in seven innings with five Ks and one base on balls. The game's only run came in the fifth inning with two outs. Right fielder Antonio Guerrero (.293) singled and came around to score from first base on a double by center fielder Lucky Collins (.321). Both ballclubs had plenty of chances to score - La Claire had 10 hits and Blue Lake 8 - as they each stranded 10 baserunners.

The Blue Sox (49-50) are still in third place, 7 games out of first, while the Lynx (47-53) are fifth and 9.5 games out. Despite the defeat, Blue Lake is 7-3 in its last ten contests.

[Eugene Church]

Islandian Pro Alliance

Friday, July 27, 2001

Ruthlandian Union - North Division

Blasters Beat R'Hawks Again, 3rd Time In a Row
The Colfax Blasters beat Far Mountain again for the third straight game on the road at Sky High Stadium and are now just a half-game out of first place in the Ruthlandian Union North. Colfax dumped the Redhawks 6-2 with Harry Manning and Vic Jankovich combining to take them down. Manning (12-8 3.85) pitched into the eighth, surrendered three runs on eight hits, then turned it over to closer Jankovich and he finish them off allowing one hit and getting the last four outs in quick order for his second save. They outpitched Far Mountain's ace, Sonny Elliott (13-8 2.83), who has struggled of late and suffered his third loss in his lasf four decisions. Colfax nicked him for six runs and nine hits as he went the distance. Newly-acquired catcher Jose Hernandez (.300), picked up in a trade for his bat, smacked two-run doubles in the fourth and sixth frames to spark the Blasters to victory. First baseman Dennis Cole (.334) got the scoring going in the second with his 28th homer and left fielder Rodney Rich (343), another new aquisition, doubled in the other run in the fourth frame. Third baseman Johnny Strickland (.286) topped the Redhawks bats with three hits and an RBI, first baseman Royce Benson (.308) collected two hits and drove in a run, and new second sacker Steve Kaminski (.328) tripled across a run. Each club banged out 9 hits apiece.

Only a half-game separates the top two teams in the RU North, the first place Far Mountain Redhawks (54-47) and runner-up Colfax Blasters 53-47). Two more games remain in the five-game series. It will end on Sunday.

V's Shock A's with 3-Run 9th
It wasn't looking good for Volusia on the road in Glasco at Athletics Field. Charles Darby was breezing along with a 5-hit 2-0 shutout heading into the ninth, when the Vigilantes bats finally ignited for three runs and a 3-2 comeback victory. A two-out two-bagger by catcher Jojo Nunez (.267) off Darby tied the score, then weak-hitting Gus Delahoya (.214) singled in the eventual game-winner off reliever Riley McKeever (0-0 0.00). Ricky Moreno (4-2 1.77) picked up his IPA-leading 16th save by working a runless ninth. Skipper Alfonso Feliz got some fine pitching from starter Brian King (1-3 2.28), who tossed seven innings, gave up only two runs and six hits, while striking out five and walking four. The victory went to middle reliever Manny Seguin (3-1 3.53) for a scoreless eighth. Darby (11-11 3.56) got the tough loss, his fifth in a row, giving up eight hits and three runs. Shortstop Kyle Ballentine (.305) and third baseman Zach Byorvik (.244) led the losers with an RBI each.

Third place Volusia (52-49) is two games off the pace in the RU North standings, while fifth place Glasco (47-52) is 6 games behind.

Vipers Roll Over All-Stars, Snap Win String at 7
Valmara, the best-hitting team in the RU North, rolled over Elnora 6-2 and snapped their winning string at 7 games. Todd Turner (11-7 4.04), a 28-year-old righthander, fashioned a solid game. He scattered 8 hits, fanned six and issued only one walk for his 11th victory of the season. Turner was supported by the big bats of second baseman Floyd Vinson (.304), who scored a run and delivered two runs with a double and a sac fly, shortstop Matt Mazurek (.277) with 2-4 and two runs batted in, right fielder Jet Kazmarek (.324) was 3-4 with two doubles, scoring one run and driving in one, and center fielder Jan Szymanski (.271) went 2-5, scored twice and had an RBI. They smacked 11 hits in all, sending starter Jim Tarzetti (3-3 3.42) down to defeat. The Vipers belted him for three runs in two innings and sent him to the showers early.

With the win, Valmara (50-50) reached the .500 mark. The Vipers are close to the top of division standings and trail by only 3.5 games. Elnora (45-56) is last and 9 games back, but still close enough to make a run for an Elite Eight playoff slot, especially with the way manager Zoggy White's club has been playing for the last two weeks.

[Eugene Church]

Islandian Pro Alliance

Friday, July 27, 2001

Ruthlandian Union - South Division

Westerners Wagner Fans 10, Beats Nine 5-3
Jack Wagner and the Waleska Westerners put a halt to Marston's three-game winning streak with a 5-3 win. Wagner (6-2 3.25) struck out 10 and pitch deep into the ninth before he ran out of gas. Wagner had a 5-0 shutout through eight innings and staggered home with the victory. It took two relievers to get the last out for the Westerners. After walking in one run, Adrian Marsiske (4-4 3.69) finally ended the game with a ground out and left the bases loaded. It was a little too close for comfort. Marsiske picked up his 9th save of the season with the win going to Wagner. He gave up two runs and eight hits and walked five. Catcher Mac Wilkins (.223) had three hits and three RBIs to lead Walesk. First baseman Freddie Shelton (.289) and right fielder Milt Carlson (.275) has the other two RBIs. The Westerners outhit the Nine 13 to 9. Center fielder Tommy Reinhold (.307), third baseman Roland Thomas (.367) and first baseman Johnny Berthold (.234) batted in runs in the ninth-inning last-ditch effort. Nick Pace (14-9 2.89) was looking for his 15th victory and didn't get it. He was roughed up for five runs in seven innings.

Waleska manager McGraw Johnson told the press after the game that center fielder Rick Vaughn will miss 1-2 weeks with an abdominal strain suffered in the third inning of the game. Vaughn is hitting .309 this season with 9 homers and 35 RBIs. Milt Carlson (.275) will take his place in the lineup.

Marston (57-42) is on top of the RU South Division and has a 10.5-game lead over Waleska (47-53), who leaped ahead of Claxton in the race for fourth place.

'Jacks Outslug Sunbirds 9-7
Forest City put an end to its three-game losing stretch by outslugging Belair Beach 9-7 at Bayside Park. The Lumberjacks unloaded 14 hits and a pair of homers to the Sunbirds 9 hits and two homers. Forest City ripped losing pitcher Ken Frey (6-10 4.31) for six runs in the opening frame, but Belair Beach came back and made a game of it. They cut it down to 8-6 after five, bur never overtook the Lumberjacks. First baseman J. T. Edmonds (.300) went 4-for-4 and drove in three runs and shortstop Pops Keller (.299) had a perfect day, too. He went 4-for-4 with three RBIs. Both jacked a home run, Edmonds hit his 13th and Keller his 7th. Right fielder Benny Davis (.271) had two hits and two runs batted in. The IPA home run leader, Nicky Swift (.327), slammed a three-shot in the third for the Sunbirds and third baseman Mike Janocko (.238) hit a solo shot in the seventh. Glenn Moore (12-7 3.36) registered the win, but wasn't very effective. He was shelled for seven runs in seven innings. New reliever Knucks Nomellini (1-0 1.86) notched his second save with a pair of shutout innings in the eighth and ninth. He fanned three and walked one.

Forest City (54-47) is the runner-up in the division and 4 games off the pace, while Belair Beach (46-54) is last in the standings and 11.5 games behind.

Sugar Valley and Haines Spank Claxton 13-1
The third place Rattlers of Sugar Valley piled up the score on Claxton at Farmers Memorial Park, smashing them 13-1. The Rattlers unleashed a 14-hit attack and crashed four out of the park. Right fielder Karl Dietz (.250) drove in six runs with three hits, including his 16th and 17th roundtrippers, catcher Slingshot McFall (.299) batted in four runs, three coming on his 8th homer of the year and shortstop Flipper Bird's (.294) solo salvo was his 11th. Paul Haines, a 35-year-old righty, stopped the Diamonds on six hits, struck out six and walked one in a fine performance. Two big innings, a five-run fifth and a four-run seventh easily sealed the fate of Claxton. Taking it on the chin and taking the loss was Tetsunori Nakashima (12-7 4.65). He was battered for two of the homers in four-plus frames and gave up seven runs.

The Rattlers (49-50) are 8 games behind the first place Marston Nine (57-42) in the Ruthlandian South flag chase, while Claxton (47-54) dropped down to fifth place, 11 games out.

[Eugene Church]

Islandian Pro Alliance

Friday, July 27, 2001

Tycobbian Union - East Division

Matsumoto Wins 15th, Stops Nats 8-1
Ginza romped over Ozarka 8-1 at Ninja Stadium with Kojiro Matsumoto doing the pitching and Kenshin Yamamoto doing the hitting. Matsumoto (15-5 2.86) won his 15th with a fine performance. He checked the Naturals on six hits, fanned seven and allowed three bases on balls, while Yamamoto (.316) went deep twice and drove in five runs with three hits. Yamamoto had some offensive help from third baseman Kaz Ojima (.323), who scored three times and had two hits and left fielder Takashi Fujimoto (.284). who also scored three runs on a hit and a pair of walks. Ted Didriksen (9-8 3.68) sustained the loss. He was tagged for four runs in four innings. Right fielder Kermit Wiggins (.289) had half of Ozarka's hits with three and first baseman Floyd Snow went 2-3.

The Ginza Ninjas (57-43) are the number one team in the Tycobbian Union East and have an 8-game lead over the fourth place Ozarka Naturals (49-51).

Stallions Olson Too Strong for Z's
The second place South Fork Stallions jumped off to a 4-0 lead in the first three innings and pitcher Ken Olson made them stand up. South Fork whipped the Luxora Zorros 4-1 on Olson's 6 hitter. It was the 12th triumph this season for Olson (12-8 2.63), who struck out nine and issued two walks in a strong outing. In the hitting department, the Stallions were sparked by first baseman Keith Burke (.302) with a three-run homer and right fielder Mike Yastrzemski (.237) with a solo smash, both came off losing pitcher Johnny Montel (7-12 3.58). Montel allowed four runs in just three innings.

South Fork (56-45) kept pace with first place Ginza (57-43). The Stallions are only 1.5 games off the pace. Luxora (44-55) is 12.5 games out and in fifth place in the TU East.

Long's Single Ends 19-Inning Marathon
At Pioneer Park in Hartsdale, the Hellcats outlasted Cape Coral 7-6 in a 19-inning marathon, the second-longest game in IPA history. It was an epic battle with superb relief pitching and was finally decided when right fielder Mel Poe (.257) singled to lead off the inning, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, tagged up and went to third on a deep fly to center, then rambled home on pinchhitter Walt Long's single. Hellcat reliever Tom Wiley (1-0 0.00) earned the victory with seven scoreless innings, allowing only four hits. He was the last of five pitchers that took the mound for skipper Zim Donner. Taking the loss was Owen Pruitt (6-6 4.16), the fifth pitcher used by manager Huggy Miller. Pruitt worked the last inning. The regulation game ended with the score 6-6. Poe scored two runs in the game and had 4 hits in 8 tries. Left fielder Jay Luna (.277) slapped five hits in eight at-bats and also scored twice. Leading the Hurricanes were left fielder Rod Kelly (.308) with four hits, catcher Rick Clark (.286) with three hits and two runs, and homers by second baseman Andy Anderson (.286) and sub first baseman Rick Castle (.178). Anderson hit a solo shot, while Castle's was good for two runs. Castle drove in three runs in all. Hartsdale totaled 7 doubles among its 21 hits, while Cape Coral countered with 13 hits.

The longest game so far in the league history occurred June 21 in a 23-inning game won by Marston 6-5 over Belair Beach at Bayside Park.

The Hurricanes (51-49) are third in the divisional standings, 6 games in back of the top club, the Ginza Ninjas (57-43). Hartsdale (43-57) is last, 14 games back.