ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

I made it read 2074 and 2075... thanks.

[jg2977]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

Player get experience while on the reserve rosters... they develop there just like they would in the minor leagues.

The talent is there... teams have very good players on the reserve rosters that never get promoted to the active rosters.

I really don't understand how the game handles rosters.

Thanks, I wasn’t aware that they gain experience on the reserve rosters. Hopefully creating an influx of talent among 18-21 year olds does the trick.

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 3, 2016

2016 IPA Pro Cup Final 4 Series

Tycobbian Union

Nats Win 5-2, Lead Typhoons 3-2 In Series
Ozarka busted up a tense 2-2 ballgame with 3 in the top of the ninth to win game five 5-2 to take a three-games-to-two lead in the TU Final 4... the Naturals need only one more victory to qualify for the IPA Pro Cup and the Island championship... 1B Benny Rousseau (.400) doubled in the tiebreaker and 2B Todd Chadwick chipped in two more insurance runs with a single... Both clubs got good starts from Wayne Gates and Ted Farentino... Gates worked into the eighth for Ozarka and allowed 2 runs and 9 hits, fanned 7, but issued 4 walks... Farentino went 8 for Turon and permitted just 2 runs and 9 hits... Wayne Haren (1-0) got the win... he got the last two outs in the eighth after two errors and a walk loaded the bases on Gates... Marshall Price (1-1) suffered the loss... the Nats jolted him for 3 runs in the ninth... 3B Andre Dumas (.298) had 3 hits to lead Ozarka at the plate... Dumas got his 3rd playoff home run, a solo shot in the third... 3B Mickey O'Malley (.314) collected 3 hits for the Typhoons... CF Mac McCurnan (.225) had the team's only home run... 1B Clyde Kingsford (.436) and SS Andy Hansen (.389) both had 2 hits apiece.

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 4, 2016

2016 IPA Pro Cup Final 4 Series

Tycobbian Union

Roberts Blanks Turon 5-0, Nats Win in 6 Games
The Ozarka Naturals are returning to the IPA Pro Cup Finals... they knocked off Turon in six games to win the Tycobbian Final 4... Eddie Roberts hurled a standout game in blanking the Typhoons 5-0 at Ellie Ewing Stadium in Ozarka... Roberts (4-0 3.52) checked them on just 3 hits, all singles, struck out 8 and walked nobody in a masterpiece... the Nats bats rapped out 11 hits led by RF Ken Mayberry (.302), C Frank Kiffin (.296), CF Ryoma Nakayama (.429) and SS James Couch (.229), all with a pair of hits... Mayberry drove in 2 runs... 3B Andre Dumas (.275), 1B Benny Rousseau (.396) and Couch batted in one run each... James Stuart (0-2 3.47) was the loser... he surrendered 5 runs in 7 innings... Now Ozarka will take on a very talented Eastshore for the IPA overall crown... it should be quite a series and a great match-up... experts are saying it's a toss-up... both teams are loaded.

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 5, 2016

2016 IPA Pro Cup Finals

Pro Cup Rated Toss-Up, Eastshore And Ozarka Battle
For only the second time in IPA history the teams with the best records in the regular season will be matched up in the Pro Cup. It will be the Ozarka Naturals and the Eastshore Elegants in this year's Pro Cup Series. Joe Mac Carney's Nats won 105 games in the Tycobbian Union this season, while Killer Brewster's Elegants paced the Ruthlandian Union with 96 wins. The only other time this happened was in 2013 when Far Mountain bested Tuckanarra.

The baseball experts have labeled this series a toss-up. Both Ozarka and Eastshore had to beat fine teams to get here. The Naturals whipped a fine Turon club in six games and the Elegants swept the Far Mountain Redhawks, the overall favorite to take the crown this year. Eastshore is unbeaten in 8 games this season. They have swept both series they have played.

Ozarka has a decided advantage in offense and defense. The Naturals posted a remarkable .287 BA, scored 828 runs, hit 170 homers and had a .977 FA. Eastshore batted .267, scored well with 801 runs, homered 155 times, but did not field well with a poor .967 FA.

On the hill, it was pretty close with the Elegants getting the edge in the bullpen. Ozarka compiled a great 3.02 team ERA to 3.14 ERA for Eastshore. Closer Jack Wilson (5-5 1.09) gives the Elegants a big plus. The starters are just about equal. Carney has three impressive starters in Benny Ostermann (25-6 2.58), Wayne Gates (24-13 2.82) and Eddie Roberts (16-5 3.00). Wayne Haren (9-7 2.93) will handle the closer role in the finals for the Naturals. He recently took over the chores from the ineffective Dennis Purcell (17-7 3.60). Purcell started most of the season, but handled the closer role in the playoffs. Rookie Danny Siegfried (26-8 2.25) heads up Brewster's rotation. His number two and three guys are Eddie Lance (20-9 3.38) and Melvin Key (16-14 3.64). Key got the postseason call over Al Froelich (20-15 3.63), who gives up too many long balls.

Both batting orders are packed with quality hitters. Ozarka's 3B Andre Dumas (.359/45/123/114) is an elite hitter and 1B Benny Rousseau (.316/34/99/84) is a just a level below. C Frank Kiffin (.320/14/91) and 2B Todd Chadwick (.301/19/92/99) give the Nats two more strong bats. Add in LF Vic Weinstein (.278/9/57/82), RF Ken Mayberry (.295/2/48/80) and CF Ryoma Nakayama (.274/14/77/79) and you have a potent line-up. Eastshore can't match Ozarka at the plate, but they can score runs. The Elegants top bats belong to 2B Gerry Garner (.300/26/97/79), RF Stan Cuccinello (.273/24/76/80), 3B George Alford (.266/23/94/75), CF Larry Lowe (.283/13/60/102) and SS Gil Lantz (.281/11/58/64).

Statistically you have to give the edge to Ozarka, but Eastshore has defied the odds before. But I don't think it will happen this time. Take Ozarka in six games because of better hitting, pitching and defense.

[Eugene Church]

I been feeling a little badly the last few days... went to the doctor today and he said it's acid reflux... he said he thought he could take of it with some medication... I will take it for two weeks and he will check me out in three weeks... he thinks that will take care of it... it is not a major problem... but it made me feel lousy with nausea, heartburn and indigestion... it has really sapped my energy... all I want to do is stay in bed and sleep.

I got up and got busy today.

I got busy today on the 2074 team rosters and reserve rosters... I have completed 58 of the 64 teams... should be starting the season sometime next week.

[jg2977]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

I been feeling a little badly the last few days... went to the doctor today and he said it's acid reflux... he said he thought he could take of it with some medication... I will take it for two weeks and he will check me out in three weeks... he thinks that will take care of it... it is not a major problem... but it made me feel lousy with nausea, heartburn and indigestion... it has really sapped my energy... all I want to do is stay in bed and sleep.

I got up and got busy today.

I got busy today on the 2074 team rosters and reserve rosters... I have completed 58 of the 64 teams... should be starting the season sometime next week.

I hope you're feeling better, EC, and that you remain healthy and vibrant. Looking forward to the 2074 season!

[Clovidequano Dovatha]

As always, I try to keep you in my prayers and thoughts as often as I can, for sure, EC. I sincerely hope that our Lord heals you soon, according to His will and all, you know. And preserves your life until it is time for us to rise from this world and finally meet Him face-to-face at His return, if that is His will, of course. CD out.

[Eugene Church]

Special thanks to my two good buddies, jg2977 and CD.
Appreciate your concern and prayers.

Much better today... still kind of weak... want to sleep all the time and do nothing... yesterday afternoon I worked on the IPA rosters... I feel better if I focus on some project rather than just sit and moan and groan about the way I feel.

I will complete the IPA rosters this afternoon... just 6 more teams to go.

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 6, 2016

IPA Pro Cup Final Series

Elegants Win Pro Cup Opener, Edge Nats 5-4 in 13
Everything pointed to a great Pro Cup Series this year... two evenly-matched powerhouses... and that just what the fans got in game one of the best-of-seven series at Ellie Ewing Stadium... Eastshore and Ozarka battled 13 long innings before the Elegants emerged the winner 5-4... Eastshore is unbeaten in 9 games in the playoffs this season... SS Gil Lantz (.484) worked a one-out walk and then scored the winning run on a double by 2B Gerry Garner (.342)... closer Jack Wilson (1-0 2.45) notched the victory with 5 strong relief innings... Wilson allowed a run in the ninth that sent the game into overtime, but he blanked the Naturals the final 4 frames... Howard Hutch, the third pitcher used by manager Joe Mac Carney, was the loser... Hutch (1-1 2.45) came on in the 13th.

Eastshore scored first with a run in the opening inning on an RBI single by Garner... the Elegants made it 2-0 in the third on an RBI ground-out by RF Stan Cuccinello (.256)... Ozarka replied with 3 in the fourth for a 3-2 lead... LF Vic Weinstein (.240) doubled in two and CF Ryoma Nakayama (.426) singled in another... the Elegants regained the lead in the sixth on 3B George Alford's (.229) single and 1B Vic Keller's (.172) double... it stayed 4-3 until the last of the ninth when Nakayama tied it up with a double.

Each team socked 8 hits apiece... 26-game winner Danny Siegfried went 8 strong innings for Eastshore and allowed 3 unearned runs on just 3 hits... 25-game winner Benny Ostermann worked 9 fine innings for the Nats and yielded 4 runs and 5 hits, but only 1 run was earned... Wayne Haren performed very well, too, with 3 shutout innings for Ozarka... Eastshore benefited from 3 double plays... not a good day for the gloves... the Elegants committed 3 miscues and the Nats made 2 errors.

Offensively Gerry Garner led the Elegants with 3-6 and 2 RBIs, including 2 doubles... CF Larry Lowe (.179) scored two runs for the winners... Weinstein and Nakayama paced Ozarka with 2 hits each and 2 runs batted in.

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 7, 2016

IPA Pro Cup Final Series - Game 2

10 Straight For Eastshore, Tops Nats 5-3
There's just no stopping the Eastshore Elegants this year in the Pro Cup playoffs... in a tremendous postseason run they have won all 10 of their games... Eastshore beat Ozarka 5-3 in game two of the Pro Cup Finals... the Elegants shot out to a 4-0 lead in the opening frame and held on behind the solid pitching of Eddie Lance (3-0 2.16), who throttled the Naturals on 8 hits in a complete-game outing... Eastshore made quick work of Wayne Gates, a 24-game winner in the regular season... they teed off on Gates for 5 runs and 8 hits in just 3 innings... Ozarka got great work from the bullpen, but it was too late... Howard Hutch and Wayne Haren shut out the Elegants on 3 hits over the last 6 innings... Hutch fanned 9 in just 4 frames and Haren hurled hitless ball and retired all 6 batters he faced, striking out 2 of them... overall the Nats staff had 13 strikeouts in the game.

Eastshore collected 11 hits and were paced by SS Gil Lantz (.514) with 3 hits and 2 runs scored... Lantz is having a fantastic postseason... RF Stan Cuccinello (.273) and 2B Gerry Garner (.366) delivered 2 hits each for the Elegants... Lantz hit his 4th roundtripper in the playoffs and CF Larry Lowe (.182) got his first... 3B Andre Dumas (.271) and pinchhitter James Mack (.250) belted solo homers for the Naturals... Dumas has 4 homers and 12 RBIs in the playoffs.

[Eugene Church]

Finally finished updating the active and reserve rosters for the 2074 season.
All 64 teams have been done... 3 new rookies on each team.

It should be coming to a ballpark near you soon... hoping in the next week of so.

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, April 4, 2074

ONLY VALMARA AND TURON ARE PICKED TO REPEAT AS IPA PENNANT WINNERS
Baseball is back in the Islands... it's season number 74 for the Islandian Pro Alliance... 64 clubs are poised and primed to complete in the beautiful green mansions on the pristine, well-manicured diamonds for baseball supremacy throughout Islandia... if the baseball pundits are right in their preseason predictions there will be only two repeat winners in the Islandian Pro Alliance pennant races in 2074... the Valmara Vipers in the Ruthlandian North Division and the Turon Typhoons in the Tycobbian South Division... new faces could be victorious this season... last year's IPA Pro Cup champion South Fork and Pro Cup finalist Valka may not be back to the postseason according to a poll conducted by The Islandian Times... but we are not going to be too hasty to write-off last year's powerhouses... they could easily be right back in the postseason once again.

AND AWAY WE GO... Our Boys of Summer are back again in the Islandian Pro Alliance.

Ruthlandian North Division Preseason Preview

Valmara gets the nod in the Ruthlandian North race once again... the Vipers have collected 4 consecutive division crowns and should post another one this season... the only roadblock is the Taranto Tars, who have run second for the last 3 seasons... Valmara is propelled by high-octane hitting with very good home-run power and reasonably-good pitching... top-to-bottom in the batting order the Vipers stand out with the likes of Alex Janicki (.331 BA), Stefan Szymanski (.318 BA), Ricardo Vargas (.308 BA), Jim Diliberto (.282 BA) and Leevi Lindmaa (.274 BA)... Skarzynski homered 32 times and drove in 122 runs, Cyril Kozak went deep 21 times and drove in 89 runs and Lindmaa belted 19 out of the park and batted in 85 runs... Skarzynski has won the Ruthlandian MVP Award the past 2 seasons and was the 2073 Golden Bat... the Viper pitching rotation is paced by Jaromir Kaminski (16-6/3.52 ERA), Andre Zajac (16-10/3.76 ERA) and Cale Abercrombie (13-7/3.76 ERA)... Valmara has a quality bullpen, manned by Milosz Mazur (10-9/3.41 ERA/23 saves/76 games) and Axel Heiden (10-6/2.68 ERA/5 saves/33 games)... the Tars have added two rookie starters, Kim Madison and Wayne McLintock... Taranto already has three fine starters in Marcello Rossi (18-5/2.66 ERA), Gianni Caruso (15-8/3.46 ERA) and Junior Castle (14-10/3.70 ERA)... should Madison and McClinton live up to their potential, that could mean trouble for Valmara... offensively Taranto can't match Valmara batting average-wise, but they can go deep with them... the Tars are sparked by Nicky Battaglia (.253 BA) with 41 homers and 103 RBIs, Leon Buisson (.291 BA) with 27 roundtrippers and 89 RBIs, Ned Stark (.277 BA) with 24 homers and 93 RBIs and Santo Ferrari (.282 BA), 20 dingers and 73 ribbies...the Vipers have added depth to their bench with 3 newcomers position players... it should be a close race... last year Valmara (98-56) beat Taranto (90-64)by 8 games... Valka (95-59) eliminated the Vipers in the RU Title Series 3 games to one... two second-division clubs, last year also-rans, the Ranford Bulls (74-80) are the third choice and the Kilkenny Cats (72-82) are rated the fourth-best squad in the RU North... but neither is expected to challenge the two favored frontrunners, Valmara and Taranto... the Bulls and Cats will end up 10 or more games off the pace.

Ruthlandian South Division Preseason Preview

Last year the Valka Blackhawks (95-59) easily won the Ruthlandian South by 10 games over the Crystal Lake Skippers (85-69)... the Blackhawks are still quite talented and will seeking their 3rd straight division title... when ace pitcher Carlos Santa Ana comes back from injury early in April they will have a rock-solid set of starters... Santa Ana missed most of last season... he was a huge lost and would have made quite a difference in the playoffs... a new rookie shortstop Jimmy Clutterbuck will debut this season at age 22... he is a very good fielder and a quality bat... Clutterbuck is the younger brother of former Rolling Hills pitcher Charley Clutterbuck, who is trying to make a comeback at age 33 with the Blackhawks... he earned a starting role this spring... the baseball prognosticators have made Crystal Lake a slight choice to upset the Blackhawks... rookie hurlers Lloyd Mason and Jesse Calhoon will be the keys... Yet Valka still seems to be the big dog in the division... ranked #3 in the division are the Belair Beach Sunbirds... they might be a contender should the rookie pitcher crop prove to be a good one... newcomers Gary Ryker and Tommy Wolfe will get a shot in the starting rotation... the St. John Crusaders are forecast to finish a distant 4th in the RU South standings... they have a wealth of newcomers... including a two-way player Jared Ezzell... he will play shortstop and also be the #5 starter... the Crusaders will also give 19-year-old southpaw, Reggie Davis, a spot in the starting rotation... he is just a year out of high school.

Ruthlandian East Division Preseason Preview

Perennial RU East power Wynnamac )(91-63) slipped to the runner-up spot last season after winning the division 3 years in a row... Eastshore (96-58) ended the Macs' run by topping them by 5 games... the Marston Nine (75-79) are forecast to run second and third with the Sugar Valley Rattlers (84-70) this year with defending champion Eastshore (96-58) expected to stumble to the fourth spot this year... the Cold Creek Raccoons (64-90) are the 5th choice in the preseason poll... a boat load of rookie talent could move the Raccoons up in the standings... last year's RU East champion, the Eastshore Cotton Kings, still has some solid pitching, but they can't match the Wynnamac Sundowners at the plate... the baseball experts may be on the right track this season.

Wynnamac still has the top staff in the Ruthlandian Union, led by Mick Flanders (18-7/3.38 ERA), Rufus Crafton (14-3/3.16 ERA), Benny Merckx (11-7/3.54 ERA) and closer Nicky Mosley (14-13/4.00 ERA/11 saves/75 games)... the Macs can also put lots of runs on the scoreboard, sparked by Kenny Doncaster (.325 BA), Max Crossman (.322 BA), Kiyo Oshima (.321 BA), Tasmin Beasley (.319 BA), Jamie Glisson (.316 BA) and Jurgen Rainer (.316 BA)... Marston's success depends on 5 rookie additions, one in particular, pitcher Wayne Shafer... he is forecast to blossom this year... 4 long-ball hitters made the squad, too... if they get into the starting lineup and produce, the Nine will do well, otherwise they are overrated... if Don Grady (.253 BA/24 HR/77 RBI), Charley McLaglen (.285 BA/17 HR/90 RBI), Taylor Turnbow (.271 BA/16 HR/75 RBI) and Bingo Crosby (.324 BA/2 HR/43 RBI/102 R/78 SB) can get some offensive help, Marston will thrive... the starting rotation of Galen Busby (11-14/3.63 ERA), Sammy Lasorda (11-9/3.47 ERA), Michael Morris (11-10/3.53 ERA) and Ivan Sywanek (10-10/3.69 ERA) should be better this year... Sugar Valley is coming off a fine season with some solid hurlers... the Rattlers needs a few good bats to go with Elmo Kirkpatrick (.291 BA/29 HR/93 RBI/30 SB) and Bill Blake (.312 BA/20 HR/92 RBI/18 SB).. hard-hitting outfielder John David Crow could be a godsend this season... scouts are projecting him to be a star in the IPA... on the hill Tuffy Hatfield (16-5/3.49 ERA), Tory Tydings (15-7/3.68 ERA), Davy Dutton (14-9/3.89 ERA) and Buddy Blanchard (12-13/3.80 ERA) can take them to the next level... they just need better run support... when it comes to pitching Eastshore is still in the ball game with the likes of Lucien Dillingham (17-5/3.39 ERA), Alyasha Kanjorsky (17-6/2.93 ERA), Vinnie Harrington (14-6/2.97 ERA0 and Eric Steinhardt (12-10/3.32 ERA)... all of them are still around... at the plate and on the scoreboard Alec Lauricella (.288 BA/29 HR/112 RBI) and Hugo Cieka (.247 BA/23 HR/116 RBI) may get some help from rookie third baseman Rodney Reeson, who batted .400 this spring and won a spot in the lineup on opening day... I just don't see the Cotton Kings dropping to 4th place... they still have the talent to keep pace with Wynnamac.

Ruthlandian West Division Preseason Preview

The wild, wild Ruthlandian West is in great flux this season... the baseball crystal ballers have surprisingly named the Forest City Firebirds (71-83) the top team in the pennant race... the Firebirds came in 6th last year, a whopping 18 games behind the RU West titlist, Volusia (89-65)... and the V's supposedly will come in near the bottom this season... Volusia falls short on the hill, but still can sting the baseball... not many teams in the IPA can post a lineup with hitters like Dante De Jesus (.341 BA/8 HR/80 RBI), Valentino Robles (.328 BA/22 HR/95 RBI), Lenny Larker (.325 BA/15 HR/80 RBI/Raul Bernardo (.314 BA/18 HR/89 RBI), Benito Santana (.290 BA/12 HR/87 RBI) and Gail Scott (.277 BA/12 HR/77 RBI)... should 3 rookie starters come through, Volusia will be up near the top of the RU West standings and nowhere near 7th place... Randy Burkett, Vance Orosco and Bonifacio Soares will be the key to the season.... capable vets Tim Cayton (17-3/3.53 ERA), Nobuo Ojima (15-12/4.02 ERA) and Nickie Acosta (11-10/3.23 ERA) will still be the core of the mound staff... don't give up on the Vigilantes just yet... admittedly, the Ruthlandian West is a wide-open division that top-to-bottom is fairly close compared to other divisions around the IPA... every club in the RU West won at least 70 games last year... it looks like more of the same this year... the Sligo Rovers (79-75) and Stoner Silver Sox (71-83) are slated to be better this year, rated the #2 and #3 teams... Colfax (82-72) comes in as the #4 team... last season the Black Sox finished in the runner-up spot, 7 games behind pennant-winning Volusia... the second-division teams are not far back of the top teams... it looks like anything could happen in the chaotic Ruthlandian West this season.

Forest City will be interesting... they have a two-way player, 6-foot-7 rookie Big Jim Gentile, who will be the #1 starter and also bat in the cleanup spot and play first base... the Firebirds are forecast to have the best staff in the RU West this year... their offense is rated up with the best teams, too... Forest City has two high-quality starters with Bruno Baptista (15-8/2.91 ERA) and Skippy Simmons (10-4/2.20 ERA)... if Gentile plays the way the baseball world thinks, it will be a good season for the Firebirds... Gentile will help them on the mound and at the plate... the most productive bats for the Firebirds are Leland Carmack (.252 BA/19 HR/95 RBI), Vernon Yaxley (.279 BA/18 HR/88 RBI) and Roy Monroe (.287 BA/17 HR/65 RBI)... Stoner's staff will have to carry the Rovers... the offense is lacking... only center fielder Albie McGlone and first sacker Jordy Olsen are a legitimate threat with the bat... look for outfielder J.D. Parmelee to blossom this season... 4 new rookie starters are set to blossom in Sligo... pitcher Andrew Saul may be the real McCoy... if he and the three other newcomers like Kenny Landis, Denny Morgan and Dwayne Chamberlain can do a quality job in the rotation, good things will happen... the Rovers will be back into pennant contention... Stoner (71-83) was tied with Forest City last year for the 6th spot... they cleaned house on the hill... the Silver Sox are banking their hopes on 3 rookie hurlers, Bobby West, Coby Sessions and Keddy Berghoff... the Silver Sox are way short on power, but they do make lots of contact, paced by bunch of fine hitters like Mariano Rodrigues (.339 BA), Brayden Earwood (.339 BA), Koy Magruder (.317 BA), Tony Bellina (.312 BA), Billy Burbank (.307 BA) and Lenny Clements (302 BA)... the Colfax Black Sox can still hit the ball, led by superstar right fielder Lanny Waldrep (.286 BA/34 Hr/99 RBI), rock-solid first sacker Bralen Josephson (.335 BA/15 HR/89 RBI) and center fielder Art Pecue (.328 BA/10 HR/69 RBI)... the Black Sox are hoping get vast improvement on the mound from newcomers Ed Franz, Herm Fredrickson and Eliot Fordham... they already have one of the best in the IPA in ace Tavish Fitzroy (18-10/2.63 ERA), but he needs an abundance of help... if the new arms produce, look for Colfax to do well again this season in the RU West.

2073 Final Ruthlandian Union Standings


2074 Preseason Predictions

[Eugene Church]

*

[jg2977]

I was reading your Ruthlandian Union preview and couldn't help but notice that Taranto has Ned Stark, one of my favorite Game of Thrones characters. I'm guessing that's just coincidence, however! He looks like a great hitter.

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by jg2977

I was reading your Ruthlandian Union preview and couldn't help but notice that Taranto has Ned Stark, one of my favorite Game of Thrones characters. I'm guessing that's just coincidence, however! He looks like a great hitter.

Nope, Ned Stark was one of my favorite characters on one of my all-time favorite tv shows.

I rework a lot of names in my IPA... if there is a silly name or one that doesn't sound real, I change it... I also rework names to insure that ethnic teams like Taranto (Italian heritage) have some Italians on the team... Stark is one of the non-Italians on the team.

[jg2977]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

Nope, Ned Stark was one of my favorite characters on one of my all-time favorite tv shows.

I rework a lot of names in my IPA... if there is a silly name or one that doesn't sound real, I change it... I also rework names to insure that ethnic teams like Taranto (Italian heritage) have some Italians on the team... Stark is one of the non-Italians on the team.

Which show was that? I looked up Ned Stark but I'm only getting Game of Thrones references.

I change all of the players' names in my IPA to tv show/movie characters that I like, or names of real athletes. I even use names of some of my favorite composers or musicians as well. The first time I did took me several days, with 80 teams in my league. I also adjust the ratings of really bad players. Now with each passing season it doesn't take too long, it's only about 20-25 each offseason that I need to update.

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by jg2977

Which show was that? I looked up Ned Stark but I'm only getting Game of Thrones references.

I change all of the players' names in my IPA to tv show/movie characters that I like, or names of real athletes. I even use names of some of my favorite composers or musicians as well. The first time I did took me several days, with 80 teams in my league. I also adjust the ratings of really bad players. Now with each passing season it doesn't take too long, it's only about 20-25 each offseason that I need to update.

Game of Thrones... Ned Stark was John Snow's father... he was executed early in the series... I think he at that time was the most popular character... he was a such a good, righteous, ethical and loyal man.

It looks like you have to do a lot of extra work yourself on your IPA... it is wearing me out... I am totally worn out after updating the 64 rosters.

But I'm excited about the 2074 season.

[jg2977]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

Game of Thrones... Ned Stark was John Snow's father... he was executed early in the series... I think he at that time was the most popular character... he was a such a good, righteous, ethical and loyal man.

It looks like you have to do a lot of extra work yourself on your IPA... it is wearing me out... I am totally worn out after updating the 64 rosters.

But I'm excited about the 2074 season.

Oh, same show I was thinking of! Yes, he was a great character. It was shocking when he was killed off so fast. He was basically the main character. His main mistake was trusting Littlefinger.

[Eugene Church]

Thursday, April 5, 2074

NEW BLOODS PREDICTED IN THE TYCOBBIAN PENNANT RACES, TYPHOONS STILL BLOWING STRONG
Just like the Ruthlandian Union, a new crop of pennant winners are forecast for the Tycobbian Union... only Turon is expected to repeat as division champion... Hartsdale, Tuckanarra and Rolling Hills are favored along with the Typhoons to make the playoffs and be contenders for the much-coveted Islandian Pro Alliance Pro Cup Trophy... the 2074 IPA season gets started tomorrow afternoon at 32 diamond venues around the Islands... baseball will dominate the sports landscape for the next 6 months... we'll know the survivors come the end of September.

Tycobbian Union North Division Preseason Preview
The White River Rascals totally anihilated the TU North last season, taking the title by a colossal 23 games, posting an IPA-best 106-48 mark... it is really hard to fathom that the Rascals will fall off that much... the diamond crystal ballers must be looking through some mighty murky waters... White River is not aging and is just the same team as last year's dominating champion... in The Islandian Times Preseason Poll, the baseball analysts are saying that Hartsdale (77-77) will win a close race with the Luxora Zorros (77-77) and White River (106-48)... Mahaska (83-71) and Oxford (77-77) are also lurking in the postseason shadows, too.

There is not a lot of offense in the TU North this year... Hartsdale will have to depend on several rookie pitchers, Dean Crossman, Mitch Hynes and Warren Bayham to blossom big this season for them to compete for the division title... those are 3 big "ifs"... Jay Jay Earnshaw (12-13/4.53 ERA) is the best of the returning hurlers... the Hellcats have two high-powered bats in Tom Colson (.314 BA/32 HR/140 RBI/23 SB) and Cooter Ethridge (.308 BA/26 HR/112 RBI/27 SB), but not a lot besides... really hard to see Hartsdale winning the pennant on paper.

Luxora looks to have a better shot at winning the division than Hartsdale... the Zorros can put runs on the scoreboard with the likes of Don Massengale (.343 BA/5 HR/50 RBI/54 SB), Miguel Serrano (.340 BA/12 HR/76 RBI/47 SB), Rico Jaramillo (.299 BA/8 HR/77 RBI), Doug Cherry (.289 BA/14 HR/73 RBI/28 SB) and Whit Pipken (.270 BA/25 HR/88 RBI)... rookie CF Marvin Breeland is high-touted and won a spot in the lineup in the spring... Tomas Yanez (16-7/3.56 ERA) is the top returning starter... he's hoping for help from James Garrision, Goncalo Rocha and Franco Sevilla... the Z's mound corps is about equal to Hartsdale's.

White River still had the best pitching by far in the TU North led by starters Shorty Meaux (19-7/2.81 ERA), Jamey Ellison (16-6/2.79 ERA), Henry Youngman (13-4/2.86 ERA) and Jackie Campanella (9-6/3.52 ERA)... the bullpen is solid, too, with Edward Carlin (15-6/2.18 ERA/18 saves/77 games), Carl Camden (13-0/2.82 ERA) and Ken Lucas (14-8/4.20 ERA)... plus the lineup can handle the bats pretty well as well, sparked by Lynn Elkins (.334 BA/24 HR/104 RBI/22 SB), Kerry Quick (.281 BA/33 HR/115 RBI/61 SB), Finley McTavish (.280/19 HR/80 RBI), Paul Douglas (.285 BA/17 HR/97 RBI) and Dan Bayless (.318 BA/14 RBI/84 RBI/31 SB)... sorry to disagree with the SABR guys, but the Rascals are still the club to win in the TU North... yep, that is my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

The Mahaska Haymakers may have the best offense in the division with the likes of Ramon Garza (.333 BA/15 HR/122 RBI/35 SB), Lee Nolan (.290 BA/20 HR/98 RBI/25 SB), Lucius Connell (.311 BA/6 HR/67 RBI/14 SB), Maury Fallon (.304 BA/7 HR/56 RBI/25 SB) and Alonso Montes (.298 BA/1 HR/55 RBI/51 SB)... rookie shortstop Dwight Houser could be a comer with his glove and his bat... on the hill the Haymakers are hoping for good seasons from two rookies, Leo Durosa and Bobby Perry... Delmer Burks (16-6/3.16 ERA) and Rollie Taft (14-13/4.23 ERA) are two quality arms returning this season... if the newcomers produced it could be an improved year for Mahaska.

The Oxford Red Caps are another club given a chance to contend in the TU North... their season hinges on an aging pair of mound veterans, 36-year-old Rico Alessi (18-10/1.96 ERA), the 2073 Tycobbian Union Golden Arm and ERA leader, and 38-year-old Bucky Dodge (8-5/2.69 ERA)... Dodge missed half the season last year with an arm injury... Sam Blades, Pat Dover and several others will have to step it up and help the two stars for Oxford to contend... solid and dependable Doc Yorke (7-11/3.84 ERA) will handle the closer spot this year... the top Red Cap run producers are Nicky Troy (.236 BA/34 HR/103 RBI), Phil Cahoon (.263 BA/16 HR/75 RBI/24 SB), Ollie PIerre (.292 BA/15 HR/58 RBI/48 SB), Izak Abramoff (.303 BA/8 HR/59 RBI) and Nate Kenner (.312 BA/8 HR/83 RBI/22 SB).

Tycobbian Union South Division Preseason Preview
The Turon Typhoons are still blowing and going in the TU South... they are favored to win the division for the 5th straight season and rightly so... they have the best offense and the best pitching... last year they ran away with the race by 16 games over runners-up San Alejo (80-74), Southport (80-74) and Summerland (80-74)... and Turon fought hard before losing in the playoffs to IPA Pro Cup champion South Fork (97-57)... the Stallions beat them 3 games to 2 in the first round of the postseason... the Typhoons (96-58) should be able to fend off the Summerland Sunsets and Southport Sun Sox this year... San Alejo looks to be a distant 4th this season.

The Summerland Sunsets have long been known for its solid pitching in past years, but not so this year... starters James Marley (13-11/4.05 ERA) and Nikita Nurk (14-14/4.70 ERA) are just mediocre at best... but they do bave a good bullpen with closer Luc Cochrane (10-9/3.66 ERA/11 saves/89 games), Jason Irons (9-8/3.64 ERA/11 saves/50 games)... decent starter Jim Hackett (12-11/4.22 ERA) will also help out there... the offense is pretty good with sticks like Neal Crichton (.309 BA/35 HR/130 RBI/110 R/56 SB), Armin Hauer (.333 BA/5 HR/54 RBI/91 R/41 SB), Rene Tesch (.301 BA/3 HR/62 RBI/75 R/60 SB), Arie Vermeer (.288 BA/5 HR/61 RBI/74 R/21 SB), Viktor Sklar (.282 BA/27 HR/91 RBI/66 R), Carroll Coxe (.367 BA/8 HR/47 RBI/57 R/26 SB) and Arjen Van Halen (.308 BA/6 HR/55 RBI/54 R)... Summerland can hit well, but is sorely lacking in pitching... rookies Mort Cassidy and Bobby Lee Higgins will really have to make an impact for the Sunsets to upend rock-solid Turon in the RU South.

The Southport Sun Sox have won the Tycobbian South 17 times in its history and also captured 4 Pro Cup trophies... the last losing season was years ago in 2041 (67-87)... the Sun Sox have hauled in 2 Pro Cups in the last 9 seasons (2065 and 2066)... yet they are showing some signs of age... top hurlers are deep into their 30s, but still are strong starters: Timmy Aaron (13-9/2.07 ERA) and Roman Littrell (15-10/3.09 ERA)... they are depending on rookie starters Quince Bodine and Patryk Iverson for a boost this season... closer Berry Manilow (9-8/3.92 ERA) looks like he is ready to blossom in that spot... Southport still has some solid bats, paced by Nate Eldredge (.313 BA/22 HR/77 RBI/98 R/11 SB), Scrappy Ingraham (.301 BA/11 HR/83 RBI/67 R/13 SB), Darcy Janvier (.263 BA/19 HR/73 RBI/106 R/49 SB)... shortstop and club leader Junior Evans (.285 BA/15 HR/61 RBI/65 r/14 SB) is still a fine player at age 34... talented first baseman Sasha Osinski (.260 BA/12 HR/49 RBI/47 R/12 SB) only played 94 games last year due to injury... his return to the lineuup will be much welcomed... Osinski is one of the Sun Sox's key performers... at age 27, he is in his prime years.

The success of the San Alejo season will depend on the development of 4 rookie hurlers: Philip English, Noah Fairclough, Elroy Shipley and Bennie Rosa... plus rookie first sacker Matty Cardosa... Fairclough, a two-way player, will join him in the starting lineup in right field... Fairclough is a solid pitcher and also a very solid bat... a very talented player... the Montaneros will do fine at the plate, sparked by top guns Dominique Juban (.335 BA/28 HR/110 RBI/121 R/20 SB) and Enrique Clarizio (.293 BA/27 HR/117 RBI/95 R/14 SB)... they will also get some help from capable hitters Rodolfo Vera (.296 BA/4 HR/65 RBI), Robbie Oquendo (.283 BA/6 HR/59 RBI/105 R/53 SB) and Norris Crowther (.280 BA/15 HR/67 RBI/49 R)... actually, San Alejo looks like the second-best club in the Tycobbian South.

Tycobbian Union East Division Preseason Preview
Last season the South Fork Stallions (97-57) took a tight race with the Red Bluff Red Sox (90-64) and the Tuckanarra Tiger Cats (90-64), winning the Tycobbian East by 7 games over the other two rivals with a September surge... this year the baseball prophets, pundits and prognosticators are picking the Tucks to take the division in another 2-team tangle... once again the defending IPA champion South Fork will be the prime protagonist... Red Bluff is forecast to wind up a distant 3rd place... Tuckanarra won the division crown in 2071, Red Bluff has been victorious 4 times in the last 8 seasons and South Fork has won twice in the last 5 years.

The Tuckanarra Tiger Cats are banking on an upgrade in the mound staff to overcome South Fork... reliable Calvin Hurley (17-8/3.62 ERA) and Garrett Gilchrist (11-10/3.81 ERA) are back and have capable arms... improvement from returnee Duncan Shilling (6-3/4.08 ERA) and the addition of rookie Jon Farnsworth will be vital in the pennant race... in the bullpen are Adrian Cornwallis (11-9/3.39 ERA/6 saves/43 games) and Morty Gladewater (3-4/2.89 ERA/1 save/23 games)... heading up the fine attack are Boomer Carlton (.289 BA/22 HR/103 RBI), Mick Remington (.277 BA/23 HR/88 RBI/20 SB), Lonny Garrett (.308 BA/8 HR/78 RBI/88 R/41 SB), Dennis Ojeda (.328 BA/11 HR/77 RBI/97 R/43 SB) and Bobby Stennett (.315 BA/2 HR/47 RBI/75 R/35 SB)... one positive is the addition of a fine rookie catcher and hitter Deon Leeds.

South Fork was very good last year and they will probably be just as good this year... Tuckanarra has a big task to beat them... the Stallions have good pitching with starters superstar Mark Meisner (16-9/3.31 ERA), Billy Lake (12-11/3.46 ERA), Otis Medwick (12-5/3.54 ERA) and Slinger Sowers (9-6/3.62 ERA)... newcomer rookie Marv Mathews stood out in the spring and won a spot in the rotation... he could be an unexpected gift... veterans Angelo Marinello (14-3/3.23 ERA) and Ramsey Crowe (12-11/4.70 ERA/10 saves/55 games) will anchor the bullpen, which was poor last season... Chuck Ogletree (8-9/4.48 ERA/14 saves/70 games) will also be back... the South Fork offense can do the job... it is chocked full of reliable batters like Carroll Ezzell (.345 BA/10 HR/69 RBI/127 R/77 SB), Pat Johnstone (.299 BA/34 HR/116 RBI/91 R/44 SB), Mal Galbreath (.304 BA/22 HR/96 RBI/109 R/42 SB), Patrick Packenham (.318 BA/8 HR/93 RBI/79 R) and Marcus Rydell (.282 BA/10 HR/61 RBI/91 R/28 SB)... the Stallions need to find a spot in the batting order for rookie outfielder Marion Morrison, who did well in spring training... sorry, I think South Fork will win the TU East again... the Tucks have too many unpredictables and too many uncertainties.

Tycobbian Union West Division Preseason Preview
Last year the TU West was a tremendous battle from the start to the finish... three clubs clashed and fought the entire season... the Kenwood Wildcats (94-61) won it in a sudden-death playoff with the Bayview Vikings (93-62)... the Chicopee Braves (87-67) battled long and hard during most of the season, but slumped when it mattered most and fell out of the race, ending up just 6 and a half games behind... so who is the pick of the crop this year?... it's last year's preseason favorite Rolling Hills... yep, the Racers may be back in business in the TU West... they are forecast to defeat Denton City in a close race... defending division champ Kenwood is the third choice... La Claire fourth, Chicopee fifth and Bayview is way back in the sixth spot.

Let's take a closer look and see if we can finish out what's going to happen and why... nobody in the TU West has a lot of pitching, but they do hit the ball rather well... Rolling Hills is not the team they were a few seasons ago, but they can still put the wood to the old horsehide, sparked by 33-year-old star and future Hall-of-Famer Hugo Sutton (.307 BA/19 HR/86 RBI/109 R/39 SB), budding star Cotton Mathers (.335 BA/1 Hr/46 RBI/105 R/78 SB), Philip Bliss (.317 BA/3 HR/82 RBI/77 R/43 SB), Kit Clemmons (.294 BA/14 HR/81 RBI/74 R/5 SB) and Art Horn (.297 BA/9 HR/73 RBI/57 R/34 SB)... add in another solid bat in rookie first sacker Mickey Seale, who won the spot in the spring... the Racers are indeed looking good this season... but when you look at the pitching prospects, it's gets scary... the best of the lot is Chet Henry (13-8/3.94 ERA), Hal Christy (14-12/4.05 ERA), Carl Lindell (10-8/4.65 ERA) and Coen Bock (9-11/3.28 ERA)... this does not bode well for Rolling Hills.

Second pick Denton City can match the Racers' offense, but they appear to much sounder on the mound... Al Ogden (10-10/3.30 ERA), Del Sorenson (13-7/3.80 ERA), Pierre Pichette (13-13/3.22 ERA) and Lyle Hollander (10-13/4.19 ERA) are not a great rotation, but they are superior to Rolling Hills... you can add in a good-looking rookie southpaw Andre LaFrance to the mound mix... LaFrance did well in Spring Training... the Redbird bullpen is OK and can do the job... it's at the plate where Denton City falls short... they don't have any power and they don't hit for average... they signed 5 rookie position players this season in an attempt to fix the offense... Winky Biggio (.241 BA/30 HR/86 RBI/90 R/23 SB) hits with power, but not for average... the only contact hitters are Donald Wilhelm (.311 BA/5 HR/47 RBI/94 R/41 SB), Kyell Jorgensen (.299 BA/3 HR/47 RBI/82 R/41 SB) and Doc Agarn (.292 BA/9 HR/71 RBI/46 R)... the Redbirds are hoping to get first baseman Virgil Welsh (.258 BA/22 HR/95 RBI/81 R) back early in the season... rookie Jeff Thigpen is holding down that spot and has done well in the spring.

Actually, last year's TU West champion Kenwood, still looks like the best team... they hit the cover off the ball last year with a .293 BA... they could be ever better this year... the Wildcats also have better starters by far with Kurt Gammons (15-10/3.03 ERA) and Paulo Passos (17-7/2.44 ERA... 3 rookies will be added to the rotation... they will make or break the season... one of last year's starter Dallas Dodson (15-13/3.58 ERA) will be the closer this season... Kenwood's top bats are Miguel Blanco (.295 BA/26 HR/108 RBI/88 R), Elvis Groom (.289 BA/17 HR/89 RBI/104 R/35 SB), Misha Makowski (.377 BA/3 HR/75 RBI/74 R/10 SB), Bitsy Sumner (.302 BA/23 HR/76 RBI/78 R/22 SB), Maksim Issak (.317 BA/3 HR/50 RBI/69 R/11 SB) and John Bircher (.284 BA/6 HR/59 RBI/58 R/15 SB).

La Claire doesn't look any good at all... the Lynx certainly don't look like good team on paper... Joe Morse (9-12/3.94 ERA) and Alton Liddell (11-15/4.61 ERA) are the best 2 returning starters... and Charles Larsen (.343 BA/14 HR/88 RBI/93 R/48 SB), Dolph Gordon (.306 BA/4 HR/85 RBI/79 R/30 SB) and Cole Newell (.284 BA/8 HR/71 RBI/71 R/59 SB) are the only decent threats in the lineup... and no rookies stood out in the spring.

The Chicopee Braves still have solid pitching with Cris Samuels (20-5/2.05 ERA), Raymond Weatherly (16-6/2.93 ERA) and George Gently (13-9/2.96 ERA)... and rookie Warren Kennedy will join them in the rotation... Kennedy earned a spot in spring training.... the Braves' bullpen is pretty good, too, with veterans Russ Redford (13-8/4.21 ERA), Ben Shockley (7-10/3.69 ERA/23 saves/98 games) and Kal Calligan (10-11/4.03 ERA)... not a lot of good bats on the club... Tarka Thornhill (.297 BA/7 HR/71 RBI) is a 3-time All-Star catcher... Mac Langdon (.293 BA/20 HR/96 RBI/74 R) is a solid first sacker... and center fielder Ruben Van Laar (.243 BA/23 HR/70 RBI/101 R/27 SB) is an offensive threat with some power, but not a lot of contact... Chicopee's pitching corps is good enough to keep them in the race.

It's hard to see Bayview fall to 6th place after such a good season in 2073 when they came within a whisker of winning the TU West... they still possess some talented position players like third baseman Zak Smalley (.285 BA/19 HR/93 RBI/79 R), catcher Camden Watkins (.287 BA/18 HR/82 R/60 R) and Lars Kristensen (.301 BA/21 HR/76 RBI/80 R)... and first baseman Hakon Verlander (.251 BA/25 HR/83 RBI/71 R/16 SB) can go deep and drive in runs... the Vikings possess a few good pitchers: starters Billy Wilkerson (14-11/3.67 ERA), Odin Carlson (12-11/3.04 ERA), Marty Maddux (13-9/4.10 ERA) and in the bullpen Clete Perrin (8-3/2.72 ERA/3 saves/47 games)... Bayview doesn't have much in the way of rookies this year.