ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Thursday, October 16, 2002

Around the Town in the IPA

VOLUSIA VIGILANTES

Owner: Tierra Wools Consolidated

President/GM: Juan-Carlos De la Hoya

Manager: Alfonso Feliz

Volusia is a town of 99,000 on the banks of the Silver River in the rugged foothills of the Silver Mountains in west central Ruthlandia. In the early years Volusia was a gold and silver mining community. It was first settled by Spanish and English emigres, who after the gold ran out, became sheepherders and farmers. Now the area is known for fine woolen clothing and textiles. Timber and paper products are also produced.

The Spanish settlers were some of the earliest baseball enthusiasts in Ruthlandia and they organized the third amateur team in the country. Marston was the first, followed by La Grange. Because of the cultural tradition of "siestas", the Spanish played their games during this time of day, usually from 3 pm to 7 pm. Commerce and business would shut down. This custom and practice soon spread to the rest of the Ruthlandian townships and eventually to Tycobbia. The "siesta" in the Islands has come to mean quality time with family and baseball fits this perfectly.

Most Volusians are bilingual, speaking Spanish and English. Volusia is a member of the IPA's Ruthlandian Union and play in the North Division. It is the home of the Vigilantes, so named for the citizen-lawmen, who brought law and order to the lawless wild, wild west in the Gold Rush days. Officially the Vigilantes play at Silver River Stadium, overlooking the beautiful Silver River, but it is often referred to as "The Jailhouse" by the locals. Part of the old terracotta-colored jail can be seen in right field. The inmates get a good view of the V's games and "cheap" season tickets, too. The team is affectionately called "The Jailhouse Gang".

The lovely old ballpark, constructed in 1919, is located right across the street from the police station, which wraps around the stadium on one side. The massive live oak trees that still dominate the city park landscape were used many times in Volusia's early history for vigilante frontier justice. Over the beautiful brick arches and center field wall, the fans get a great view of the Silver River and the downtown area, just across the river from the stadium.

A wonderful Tex-Mex band provides great music during the games. The V's fans bring their sombreros and during the seventh inning stretch, they do a Mexican hat dance. Concessions are unique, too. Tantalizing tacos and fried ice cream are among the culinary delicacies at Silver River Stadium. Frozen daiquiries and margaritas are house specialities. Hot dogs, cokes and beer are available, too.

The Volusia Vigilantes are owned by Tierra Wools, a farm cooperative for sheep owners, weavers and spinners to market their products. Juan-Carlos De la Hoya is the president and general manager of the club with Alfonso Feliz as the field manager. A very fine hitting outfielder, Feliz played many years for the Tierra Wools company team in the local industrial leagues. He also managed them and came with them when the team went professional.

Volusia won the inaugural IPA Pro Cup in 2001, sweeping the Ginza Ninjas of the Tycobbian Union in four games. The Vigilantes had finished second in the regular season to the Far Mountain Redhawks in the Ruthlandian North Division.

Silver River Stadium (1919)

Capacity: 10,250

Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 325
Left Field - 375
Left Center - 410
Center Field - 400
Right Center - 410
Right Field - 375
Right Field Line - 325

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Friday, October 17, 2002

Around the Town in the IPA

WALESKA WESTERNERS

Owner: Ewing Enterprises, Jock Ewing, President

GM/Manager: McGraw Johnson

Waleska is in the southwest part of Ruthlandia near the Silver Mountains and has about 113,000 inhabitants. The town name comes from the Waleska Indian phrase meaning "I don't understand", which was the reply given by the Indians, when the White Man first encountered them and asked them who they were. The Whites mistakenly took the phrase to mean their name.

The High Plains area was settled originally by ranchers to raise purebred Hereford cattle. After the ranchers came the railroad workers to build the railroad for easy transportation of the cattle to market. This attracted many wealthy men from the eastern United States and Europe, who brought with them their impeccable social amenities, culture and high society. Many cattle barons spent their summers in Waleska and winters in Europe. They created the Waleska Social Club, a lavish club furnished on a scale equal to the finest gentleman's clubs in England.

Residents enjoyed a social life, which was unique in the western part of Ruthlandia and on par with more cultured Ruthlandian towns in the east and south. Among the earliest settlers were the ancestors of the Jock Ewing family, the owners of the Waleska Westerners of the Ruthlandian Union. The club plays in the South Division. Oil was soon discovered on the ranch lands and the rich got richer, creating a financial empire that also expanded to railroad, meat packing and processing, banking and finance.

The Ewing Family is a powerful force in the history of the Islands and its baseball development. They have three franchises in the league in Waleska, South Fork and Ozarka. How did they get so many franchises? Money and power is the answer.

The Westerners play their games at historic Westerner Stadium (circa 1902), the oldest ballpark in the Islands. The Ewings renovated it in 1980, but kept the beautiful old brick wall that runs around the entire ballpark. It was named in honor of the tough men and woman, who braved the harsh and hostile frontier environment to establish a thriving and prosperous town. One of the big events of the year is the Frontier Days celebration, a week-long event that features a world class rodeo, country music concerts and a spotlight on the good things of western life. A country band entertains the crowds at Westerner Stadium during the games, complete with steel guitar, bass fiddle and twin fiddles. What a treat to hear twin Texas fiddles play "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and see the buckaroos and their little darlings do line dances and boot-scooting boogies during the game. One of the very special treats at Westerner Stadium is the mouthwatering steak sandwiches that are grilled right in front of your eyes and noses on a huge charcoal grill. And of course, an ice cold bottle of imported Lone Star beer ("Brewed in the Heart of Texas") comes with it, too.

Westerner owner, Jock Ewing, was very instrumental in the IPA's coming to be. He and several other multi-millionaire cohorts,like shipbuilder Brent Steiner of Bayiew, Jorge Trujillo (former dictator, now exiled) of Belair Beach, and wealthy entertainers Louis "Sugar Lips" Charles of Bay St. Clair and Conway Birdie of Cape Coral, conceived, financed and tried to contrive the league in their image and control.

But with the "help and guidance" of talented baseball owners like Manny Earl of Sugar Valley, Rob Jackson of Forest City and Rip Calkin of La Claire, the latter more than held their own in the smoke-filled rooms of debate and won a great concession: they got John Banson installed as commissioner with almost absolute control of the IPA, a necessity considering the history and practices of the power mongers.

Waleska's club operations are run by the legendary McGraw Johnson, a baseball pioneer and innovator. He was the first manager to platoon players and to use a closer.

Westerner Stadium (1902)

Capacity: 12,850

Left Field Line - 355
Left Field - 375
Left Center - 410
Center Field - 385
Right Center - 410
Right Field - 375
Right Field Line - 355

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Saturday, October 18, 2002

Around the Town in the IPA

WHITE RIVER RASCALS

Owner: Tycalco, Hughie Howard, President and CEO
GM/Manager: Jon Randison

The city of White River, with 66,000 inhabitants, is situated in northwestern Tycobbia in the Appian Mountain foothills on the banks of the White River. Most of the time the river flows serenely, but there are occasional whitewater rapids. The river ends at Bayview on the western coast where it empties into the Kelnyck Ocean.

Prior to the mining business, this area was just wilderness. White River owes its existence and development to Tycalco. It is totally a company town. Its economy is dominated by the Tycobbian Aluminum Company, which was established in 1890. Bauxite, alumina and chemicals, found in abundance in the nearby Appian Mountains, are processed into a wide range of aluminum products and shipped to Bayview by water and Fairfax on Blue Lake to the south by rail for distribution. Tycalco’s towering corporate skyscraper can be seen from White River Park across the river in downtown White River. Architecture in the area is modernistic. However, the White River Rascals play at one of the lovely vintage and nostalgic ballparks in Tycobbia. It was built in 1924.

White River Park has a scenic and wonderful view of its river namesake just beyond the centerfield fence. The 18-foot high aluminum wire fences down the left and right field lines make it a little more difficult for hitters to hit the ball into the stands, which are only 310 feet away. Tycalco originated company amateur leagues to provide the community and its employees and their families with recreational activities. When the Islandian Pro Alliance was established, the company purchased a franchise. The White River Rascals play in the Tycobbian Union North Division.

A trip to White River Park is something really special. Not only is it a baseball park, it is also a state-of-the-art amusement park. Before and after games amusement rides can be enjoyed by young and old, complete with good food, fun rides, fireworks and music concerts of all genres, all subsidized and underwritten in part by Tycalco,

The White Sox are administered and managed by Jon Randison, a big 6'10" lefty, who had the third highest career-strikeout totals in the annals of amateur and company baseball, topped only by Ryan Noland of Rocky Rapids, the all-time strikeout leader, and Clem Rogers of Colfax, the second-best strikeout artist.

White River Park (1924)

Capacity: 7,650

Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 310
Left Field - 340
Left Center - 370
Center Field - 410
Right Center - 370
Right Field - 340
Right Field Line - 310

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Sunday, October 19, 2002

Around the Town in the IPA

WYNNAMAC SUNDOWNERS

Owner: Granger Co-Operative Association

GM/Manager: Matt Donnelly

Wynnamac is a town of 86,000 residents and can be found about 50 miles inland from the Valerian Ocean, which is the eastern border of Ruthlandia. It is located in the northeastern part of the country in the Central Plains, which spans east to west across it and is a well-known farming region, filled with seemingly endless fields of ripe golden wheat and rustic farms. It is the "Breadbasket of Ruthlandia". Settled by a diverse band of hearty and hardworking Canadian and Australian immigrants, who worked "sunup to sundown". They became known as "Sundowners" because of their great work ethic and love for the land...and for their love of baseball and the homestanding Wynnamac Sundowners. The area is also a center for meat packing and dairy industries.

Life hasn't changed much here for a hundred years and probably won't change much in the next hundred years. Wynnamac is a member of the IPA's Ruthlandian East Division. The club plays at Granger Field, which is built right next to a grain processing plant with huge silos and a water tower with a gigantic ear of corn on it...all visible from the ballpark. The Sundowners are owned by the Granger Co-operative Association, farmers banded together for the common good.

At the concession stands you get nothing fancy...just soda pop, hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, peanuts, crackerjacks and ice cream. No beer or alcoholic beverages are permitted at the stadium. It is against the law in Wynnamac county and strictly enforced.

Wynnamac's General Manager and Field Manager is Matt Donnelly, who loves the game of baseball like no other. And he played the game very well, too. He was an outstanding hitter and first baseman for quite a few seasons in the local company leagues, playing until he was almost 50.

Granger Field (1967)

Capacity: 7,965

Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 355
Left Field - 375
Left Center - 415
Center Field - 404
Right Center - 375
Right Field - 350
Right Field Line - 325

[Eugene Church]

I have revised the rosters for about 44 teams, dropping poor performers and replacing them with randomly-created free agents. Also revised pitching rotations, line-ups and depth charts based on performance.

About 20 teams to go. Should take about 3 days.

The third season of the Islandian Pro Alliance is coming soon.

[Eugene Church]

I have done 58 teams now... only 6 more to go.

It won't be long until I get into year three of the IPA. I'm really looking forward to it.

It looks like the weak sisters of the league could be more competitive this year. I created the rookies and made sure their ratings would allow them to compete. The AI creates far too many players that have no chance to compete in an established league. It created pitchers with 7.00 ERAs and batters with under .200 batting averages.

I dropped all of the ridiculously-poor players and replaced them with competitive players.

[Eugene Church]

Finished revising all the teams rosters, pitching rotations, line-ups and depth charts.

Opening Day for the IPA is upon us at last!

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

April 7, 2003

Time to "Play Ball!"

"Play Ball!" - How sweet to hear those glorious words!
The Islandian Pro Alliancel starts its third season of play today. It is a new season and a new beginning for all the boys of baseball. Opening Day is here! It is a day of great excitement for everyone in the world of baseball -- players, fans, sportswriters, broadcasters, managers, coaches, scouts, groundkeepers, batboys, ballpark vendors, agents and the owners. Everybody is eagerly awaiting the first pitch of the game and the first home run. Old records will be broken and new marks set. It all gets under way today with a full slate of 32 games all across the Islands.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian News

Tuesday, June 24, 2003

Ruthlandian Union North Division Midseason Standings

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, June 24, 2003

IPA Halfway Through 3rd Season of Play

Year number three has been the best ever in the Islandian Pro Alliance. Crowds are still filling up the stadiums, scoring is up and the competition is strong with all eight divisions having close races at the midseason All-Star break.

Tight Tussle in RU North, 3-Way Battle Between Far Mountain, Valmara and Ranford

In the Ruthlandian Union North, Far Mountain (48-25) and Valmara (48-25) are in a tough toe-to-toe tussle and are tied for the top spot. The Ranford Bulls (45-28) are not far behind and trail by only three games. Upstart Kilkenny (42-31) is in the fourth spot. Last year the Cats finished seventh. Taranto (40-33) is holding onto fifth place, while last year's pennant winner Glasco (38-35) has slumped to sixth. Rounding out the North Division are seventh place LaGrange (34-39) and cellar-dweller Ancona (23-50). This could well be the best division talent-wise in the Ruthlandian Union and perhaps in the entire IPA.

Skipper Alex Groveland has his Far Mountain Redhawks playing even better than last year's second place finish in the regular season. Groveland has one of the top pitching corps in the IPA with starters Robby Kelly (9-6 2.40), Sonny Elliott (10-5 3.20), Doc Rutledge (11-4 3.50) and Mike McCabe (5-2 3.69). In the bullpen Bud Ford (3-3 1.91) has excelled with 12 saves. The Redhawks team ERA is third-best in the league with 3.28.

Offensively Far Mountain is underpowered with only 58 homers (18th), but they do have a good .274 batting average (10th). Groveland depends on RF Karl Dietz (.271/17 HR/53 RBI/40 R), 1B Royce Benson (.326/7 HR/31 RBI/49 R/17 SB) and CF Sam Cameron (.314/5 HR/27 RBI/49 R/17 SB) for his offense.

Valmara is very similar in style to Far Mountain with a little more power. The Vipers have a fine mound staff with starters Danny Blauser (12-3 2.48), Andre Trepanier (8-6 3.14) and Ted Farentino (7-4 3.86). Blauser was the team's only All-Star. In the bullpen former starter Zarek Zalewski (4-0 4.21) has 13 saves so far this season. Valmara is fourth with an impressive 3.29 ERA.

Skipper J. Samuel Jackson has more punch than Far Mountain with the likes of LF Jet Kazmarek (.338/5 HR/45 RBI/50 R/47 SB), RF Val Krol (.323/8 HR/40 RBI/36 R) and 2B Fred Vinson (.309/2 HR/48 RBI/32 R). Rookies SS Steve Androwski (.287/10 HR/34 RBI/46 R/9 SB) and 3B Zoran Belakov (.269/9 HR/29 RBI/35 R) have also stood out. As a team the Vipers are batting .269 (18th), but have hit 70 homers (7th).

The Ranford Bulls, piloted by Page Satcher, are right on the co-leaders coattails, just three games back in third place. Satcher has a veteran team with no rookie in the starting rotation or regular line-up. The Bulls won 90 games and ended up fourth last year and are on target to win more this season. As a team Ranford is hitting .271 (15th) with 57 home runs (19th) with a 3.65 ERA (11th). Along with Valmara and LaGrange, they are rated good on defense with a .976 fielding average (7th-tied).

All-Stars SP Chris Bernhoffer and 2B Johnny Fenroy lead the club. Bernhoffer (12-4 2.52), Bud Enright (7-4 2.78) and Jim Maxwell (8-5 4.24) are Sacher's best starters. As far as hitters CF Warren Gravois (.310/8 HR/46 RBI/42 R/9 SB), 1B Jordy John (.279/10 HR/46 R/50 R), SS Rick Fargnoli (.284/9 HR/46 RBI/46 R), 3B Colin Fairclough (.335/3 HR/36 RBI/33 R/20 SB) and C Walt Horvath (.304/ 5 HR/36 RBI/42 R) have been the most productive for Ranford. Fenroy is outstanding with the glove (.989 FA) and is hitting .291 with 4 homers and 32 RBIs.

Manager Kieran McKenna of the Kilkenny Cats has turned it around this year. The Cats suffered a next-to-last finish in 2002, 24 games out of first place. This season they trail by only six games. McKenna has fashioned a good mound staff, headed by Dino Carravaggio (10-4 3.07). The other three pitchers, Colin Gilder (7-3 3.92), Mack Harrell (6-6 3.84) and Yasuyuki Nakagawa (8-8 3.86), have shined at times and have been fairly consistent in starting roles. Kilkenny has a 3.90 ERA, ranking 14th in the Ruthlandian Union.

At the plate the Cats sport a .269 batting average (16th) with 62 roundtrippers (11th-tied). The load has been carried mainly by 3B Rowdy O'Leary (.328/10 HR/54 RBI/45 R), All-Star CF Kirk Pitzer (.342/12 HR/45 RBI/50 R/28 SB/.989 FA) and RF Rick Audubon (.305/10 HR/23 RBI/19 R). McKenna has just promoted Audubon to fulltime rightfielder. He has been platooning.

Skipper Tommaso Lazzorda fields a high-scoring, heavy-hitting ballclub in Taranto. The Tars have belted their way to the fifth spot in the standings. Lazzorda's club is carrying a .281 team batting average (5th) and tops the IPA with 107 roundtrippers (1st). Despite playing in one of the smallest park in the league, Taranto has a relatively-good 3.91 ERA (16th) and has allowed only 48 home runs.

The Tars have a potent batting order, powered by All-Star RF Dominic Zuccaro (.331/24 HR/66 RBI/55 R), LF Tony Blaser (.335/20 HR/50 RBI/58 R) and the IPA home run leader, CF Teddy Giacone (.254/26 HR/65 RBI/49 R). On the mound Lazzorda depends on All-Star Anthony Nardone (11-4 2.32), who has been superb, even in the tiny Palazzo di Sport. Middle reliever Sal Pascioni (5-0 1.56) has also stood out above the crowd and will move into the starting rotation the rest of the season.

The RU North defending champ, the Glasco Athletics, are now only the sixth-best team and are 10 games behind in the pennant chase. Age may be catching up with the A's as they have several regulars over 35. Manager McDuffie Hughes' pitching staff is not what it was in the IPA's first two seasons. The Athletics have a 3.94 ERA (18th) with Ray Cook (8-7 2.79) and Charles Darby (9-9 3.49) McHughes' best performers. McHughes has revamped his mound corps with former ace Jesse Balfour (4-1 3.59) back in the rotation after being exiled to the bullpen for the last year and Takehide Takahashi (7-6 5.73) going back into the closer slot where he was once the best in the IPA while with Fairfax in 2001.

Glasco's batting order matches up with their opponents pretty well with a .278 average, but lacks firepower with only 54 homers (22nd). Veterans LF Ox Beauvais (.317/7 HR/43 RBI/45 R) and 1B Maury Smith (.316/4 HR/41 RBI/38 R) still carry most of the load with help this year from RF Bobby Pascarelli (.278/14 HR/45 RBI/30 R).

Little wonder that the LaGrange Sports find themselves in seventh place, 14 games off the pace. The Sports are batting a lowly .250 (31st) and have compiled a pitiful 4.32 ERA (28th). Foxy Jimison is still at the helm of the ballclub, but seems to have very little talent. Jimison has a couple of decent starters in Al Thibaut (11-4 4.04) and Tony Amick (7-9 4.15). LaGrange has a solid closer in Sean Stone (4-2 2.56), who has chalked up 14 saves. Jimison has even less talent in the batter's box. His biggest threat is 1B Artie Vicknair (.256/12 HR/36 RBI/39 R). In the second half of the season Jimison is going to play all of his benchwarmers and see what they can do. His first stringers have been woefully weak at the plate.

Last year the Ancona Red Elephants ended the season in last place with a 68-86 mark, but this year they will not come close to matching it. They will be lucky to win 50 games. Managed by Mick Mickens, the Red Elephants are ranked at the bottom in batting average and ERA. Ancona is hitting a composite .254 (28th) and its pitchers have a dismal 4.80 ERA (31st). However, the Red Elephants have hit 63 homers (10th) and have some fairly good bats in RF Jimmy Brewer (.322/10 HR/30 RBI/39 R), 3B Dmitros Vardros (.314/13 HR/51 RBI/40 R), C Dale Kerr (.284/12 HR/30 RBI/29 R) and 2B Nick Tarkovsky (.288/5 HR/26 RBI/48 R).

Ancona manager Mick Mickens made wholesale changes in his pitching staff at midseason. He brought in six new hurlers in an attempt to change the direction of the ballclub. George Angelakos (6-9 3.33) is his prime pitcher, but there is little after him unless the new rookie arms come through for Mickens. The Red Elephants will probably have to wait until next year to get back in the race.

Ruthlandian North Division Outlook:
And who will make the playoffs? Anyone of six teams has a chance. Most likely Far Mountain will take the top spot with Valmara fighting them tooth-and-nail down to the last day and probably into the playoffs, too. Ranford, Kilkenny and Taranto will battle it out for the last two playoff spots with Glasco having an outside shot at fourth place. The Ruthlandian Union North teams should do well in the IPA Pro Cup playoffs. It seems to be filled to the brim with talented teams.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, June 24, 2003

The Ruthlandian Union South Division Mid-Season Standings

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, June 24, 2003

Two-Team Race in RU South, Waleska on Top, 5 Games Up on St. John

Over in the RU South, the Waleska Westerners (45-28) have taken charge and lead by five games over the surprising second place St. John Crusaders (40-33), which finished a very distant last in 2002. Belair Beach (38-35) is in the third spot with Claxton (36-37) and San Dimas (36-37) close behind and tied for fourth. Two contenders from last year have both fallen on hard times. The Valka Blackhawks (30-43) and Grand City Cybercats (30-43) have tumbled into the second division and are in a tie for sixth. Crystal Lake (22-51) is having a terrible season and is in the basement with the worst record in the IPA.

Waleska Westerners - First Place
McGraw Johnson, Manager
.261 BA (23rd)
62 HR (11th-tied)
3.07 ERA (2nd)
.976 FA (7th-tied)

Best Pitchers: Smokey Joe Carter (10-2 2.37), Gary Hill (11-5 3.70), Jack Wagner (6-1 2.70), Buddy Kennedy (7-5 2.93), Erv Gunderson (3-5 1.70 8 SV), closer Ken Vakros (4-6 4.17 15 SV)

Best Hitters: LF Big Hoss Burkhalter (.285/16 Hr/56 RBI/50 R), 3B Yoshihide Nishida (.271/7 HR/51 RBI/46 R/20 SB), 1B Mark Ulricht (.314/11 HR/40 RBI/24 R)

Analysis: Great pitching, so-so hitting, lack power, good defense, Johnson added new center fielder for added offense and two new relievers

St. John Crusaders - Second Place
Dickie Billings, Manager
.266 BA (21st)
49 HR (25th)
3.82 ERA (13th)
.975 FA (12th-tied)

Best Pitchers: Eric Mays (10-5 4.03), Zach Simon (8-8 3.01), rookie George Wilson (7-4 3.99), rookie Sterling Eccles (3-1 2.40), closer Eddie Thorsen (3-3 2.54 17 SV)

Best Batters: LF Don Kolstad (.282/9 HR/43 RBI/35 R), RF Kenny Hatcher (.282/7 HR/42 RBI/44 R/24 SB), rookie SS Cal Kanellis (.280/7 HR/34 RBI/30 R/9 SB)

Analysis: Solid in pitching, need power, good defense, six rookies have contributed, two of them pitchers, Billings added five new players at midseason, two pitchers and 3 position players, which will make or break them in the second half

Belair Beach Sunbirds - Third Place
Marty Pedroza, Manager
.289 BA (1st)
59 HR (16th-tied)
3.32 ERA (6th)
.971 FA (24th-tied)

Best Pitchers: All-Star Slim Mosley (11-5 2.75), Terry Christian (6-3 3.11), Ray Watson (9-6 3.52), Tiny Lundgren (8-8 3.30)

Best Hitters: All-Star 1B Phil Gravelli (.342/20 HR/65 RBI/52 R), LF Nicky Swift (.273/15 HR/56 RBI/54 R), 3B Dom Corbelli (.337/2 HR/32 RBI/35 R/26 SB), RF Matty McDermott (.315/4 HR/26 RBI/42 R/22 SB), CF Bobby Joe Morris (.310/5 HR/25 RBI/44 R/10 SB), 2B Rick Sullivan (.298/4 HR/32 RBI/29 R/8 SB), C Denny Everhart (.293/3 HR/36 RBI/30 R)

Analysis: Fine starters and excellent hitting, need bullpen help, defense could be better, Pedroza has six regulars hitting .293 or better, new closer is critical for the Sunbirds success in the second half of the season, very sound team overall

Claxton Diamonds - Fourth Place (tie)
Stacy Engel, Manager
.259 BA (24th)
46 HR (27th)
3.82 ERA (12th)
.971 FA (24th-tied)

Best Pitchers: Terry Kuznetsov (6-5 3.07), Sal Tallis (7-6 3.80), Tetsunori Nakashima (6-8 4.15), closer Geno Franchi (4-2 2.57 11 SV)

Best Hitters: LF Dixie Baker (.281/10 HR/38 RBI/47 R), C Pete Robinson (.303/4 HR/39 RBI/30 R), 2B Eric Carducci (.282/4 HR/30 RBI/30 R)

Analysis: Weak hitting, no power, average pitching, poor fielding, no threat if Claxton makes the playoffs, Kuznetsov and Franchi are strong pitchers, not much talent beyond them except for LF Baker

San Dimas Rancheros - Fourth Place (tie)
Paco Banderos - Manager
.268 BA (19th)
74 HR (3rd)
3.52 ERA (8th)
.976 FA (7th-tied)

Best Pitchers: Wayne Mallard (8-5 3.16), Lowell Wall (4-4 3.09), Tris Lightfoot (5-4 3.64), closer All-Star Zippy Hodge (7-3 1.90 12 AV)

Best Hitters: 1B Sancho Duran (.266/15 HR/53 RBI/34 R), 3B Domingo Rios (.293/14 HR/33 RBI/45 R), SS Russ Russell (.266/5 HR/43 RBI/32 R), LF Fernando Baldera (.338/10 HR/29 RBI/26 R)

Analysis: Good all-around ballclub with pretty fair hitting and good power, better than average pitching, good defense, excellent closer, might be the second-best team in the RU South, should definitely make the playoffs

Grand City Cybercats - Sixth Place (tie)
Torry Joseph - Manager
.269 BA (17th)
49 HR (25th)
4.30 ERA (27th)
.969 (28th)

Best Pitchers: Lefty Paddison (11-7 2.71)

Best Batters: SS Wynn Joslin (.282/14 HR/53 RBI/45 R), 1B Robby Maynard (.296/12 HR/34 RBI/40 R), CF Stan Heinke (.316/3 HR/20 RBI/40 R/28 SB), RF John Terry (.313/1 HR/42 RBI/24 R)

Analysis: Just a mediocre ballclub, unlikely to make the playoffs

Valka Blackhawks - Sixth Place (tie)
Jaan Kurus, Manager
.258 BA (26th)
45 HR (28th)
4.20 ERA (23rd)
.983 (1st)

Best Pitchers: Andrei Kokk (7-8 3.03), Bobby Karu (5-5 3.67), Arvo Krimm (5-5 3.83)

Best Hitters: 2B Brian McGinnis (.310/4 HR/29 RBI/25 R), C Kristjan Kasik (.282/6 HR/32 RBI/33 R)

Analysis: RU South Division winner last year, total collapse this year, probable finish will be seventh place, still excellent fielding team, but little else.

Crystal Lake Crushers - Eighth Place
Herman "Baby" George, Manager
.252 (30th)
74 HR (3rd)
4.78 ERA (30th)
.963 FA (32nd)

Best Pitcher: Mel Hogan (3-4 3.47), Bill Ehrhardt (5-7 4.25)

Best Batters: 1B Johnny James (.298/13 HR/41 RBI/38 R), 2B Ronnie Mikkelsen (.293/12 HR/35 RBI/31 R), LF Ben Butler (.231/17 HR/50 RBI/51 R)

Analysis: Worst team in the IPA, probably will lose over 100 games

Ruthlandian Union South Division Outlook:
One of the weakest divisions in the IPA, but it has two good teams in Waleska and Belair Beach because of their pitching. The Sunbirds also hit very well. They should run 1-2 in the standings and do well in the playoffs. San Dimas will be third and St. John the fourth playoff team. Claxton should end up fifth, followed by Grand City in the sixth spot. Valka will be seventh and Crystal Lake will be last.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, June 24, 2003

Ruthlandian Union East Mid-Season Standings

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, June 24, 2003

Elnora on Top in RU East, Marston and Sugar Valley Close Behind

The IPA Pro Cup runner-up last season, the Elnora All-Stars (42-31) are the top club in the Ruthlandian Union East pennant chase with a two-game lead over the Marston Nine (40-33). Last year's titlist, the Sugar Valley Rattlers (38-35), are close by and only four games back. Rounding out the first division are the Belle Plaine Musketeers (34-39), who have done quite a turnaround this year and trail by only 8 games. Last season the Musketeers dropped 100 games and finished in the cellar, 33 games off the pace. The bottom four teams are tightly-bunched with Beechwood (33-40) and Eastshore (33-40) tied for fifth place in the standings. The Cold Creek Catamounts (32-41) are seventh in the race with Wynnamac (31-42) pulling up the rear in last place.

Elnora All-Stars - First Place
Zoggy White, Manager
.273 BA (13th)
52 HR (23rd)
2.92 ERA (1st)
.978 FA (4th)

Best Pitchers: All-Star Harry Dye (13-3 3.46), Taylor Gibbs (8-9 2.56), Charlie Murphy (8-9 3.11), Pat Savoie (4-1 2.12), closer Matty Wilkerson (2-1 1.26 13 SV)

Best Hitters: All-Star 2B Gil Foster (.335/12 HR/46 RBI/42 R), LF Quincy Peterson (.299/11 HR/35 RBI/49 R/6 SB), All-Star C Todd Simons (.300/3 HR/36 RBI/27 R), CF Rusty Gilbert (.321/5 HR/36 RBI/43 R/15 SB)

Manager Zoggy White has Elnora hitting on all cylinders with the best pitching in the IPA with a ridiculously low 2.92 team ERA, excellent fielding and adequate hitting. White almost won the IPA title last season, but fell short at the hands of the high-scoring High Mesa Cowboys in the finals. Elnora is the favorite for the division crown this season.

Marston Nine - Second Place
Johnny Walters, Manager
.284 BA (2nd)
62 HR (11th)
3.61 ERA (10th)
.980 (2nd)

Best Pitchers: All-Star closer Booger Burchfield (3-1 1.52 13 SV), Nick Pace (10-7 4.24), Walt Sellers (8-7 3.56)

Best Hitters: All-Star RF Sam Dixon (.369/12 Hr/63 RBI/35 R), All-Star SS Don Nichols (.330/6 HR/36 RBI/56 R/25 SB), CF Paulie Rizzutto (.274/9 HR/38 RBI/34 R)

Strong defense, very good hitting and a little better than average pitching is carrying Marston this season. The Nine probably will not catch Elnora because they just don't have the pitching, but Marston will contend in the playoffs. Anything can happen in short series. Second-place finish in the RU East seems the best they can do.

Sugar Valley Rattlers - Third Place
Gibson Bobkins, Manager
.275 BA (9th)
59 HR (16th-tied)
3.56 ERA (9th)
.977 FA (5th-tied)

Best Pitchers: Gregg Neal (8-5 3.07), Ron Benson (9-9 4.17), Dale Bixler (5-5 3.46), rookie closer Frankie Jardine (2-2 3.25 12 SV)

Best Batters: 1B Ron Armstrong (.276/11 HR/54 RBI/27 R), LF Bruno DiPirro (.302/7 HR/49 RBI/46 R/22 SB), All-Star SS Flipper Bird (.330/10 HR/39 RBI/60 R/14 SB/.977 FA), All-Star C Slingshot McFall (.263/5 HR/36 RBI/28 R/.995 FA/57% RTO)

Manager Gibby Bobkins has a well-balanced ballclub with good hitting and pitching. The Rattlers also play good defense. Sugar Valley has no bad weaknesses and will challenge Marston for second place. The RU East has a strong threesome in Elnora, Marston and Sugar Valley. The winner out of them will do well in the playoffs.

Belle Plaine Musketeers - Fourth Place
Boo Ladrieux, Manager
.259 BA (25th)
41 HR (31st)
3.91 ERA (15th)
.971 FA (24th-tied)

Best Pitchers: Lou Dozier (8-5 3.15), Jack Ambeau (7-8 3.60)

Best Batters: rookie RF Lavon Gooch (.292/12 HR/48 RBI/39 R/10 SB), rookie CF Dennis Riley (.305/8 HR/48 RBI/41 R/9 SB), LF Juan Mendez (.329/0 HR/30 RBI/51 R/8 SB)

Belle Plaine has made fine progress over last year's dismal season, but is still just a mediocre team. It is doubtful that they can hold on to fourth place and make the playoffs. Sixth, seventh or eighth is its likely finish. Eastshore should pass them in the second half.

Beechwood Bobcats - Fifth Place (tied)
Bret George, Manager
.255 BA (27th)
72 HR (5th-tied)
3.93 ERA (17th)
.968 FA (29th-tied)

Best Pitchers: All-Star Lance Moore (11-4 2.58), Larry Eaton (5-4 3.69), closer Will Cadbury (2-3 2.95 15 SV)

Best Hitters: RF Clifton Czako (.289/11 HR/42 RBI/49 R/10 SB), SS Augie Ippolito (.270/5 HR/42 RBI/24 R/15 SB), CF Lonnie Snider (.296/7 HR/32 RBI/33 R/17 SB)

Bobcat skipper Bret George doesn't have a lot of talent except for Moore, Czako and Snider. The team is down at the bottom in hitting and fielding and only average in pitching. Still they might make the playoffs in this weak division. They could sneak into fourth place or the Bobcats could fall all the way to last place.

Eastshore Elegants - Fifth Place (tied)
Killer Brewster, Manager
.271 BA (14th)
72 HR (5th)
4.25 ERA (25th)
.975 (12th)

Best Pitchers: Don Willis (5-1 3.36), Nick Baumgartner (4-1 3.40)

Best Batters: LF Darrel Alston (.327/15 HR/51 RBI/54 R/8 SB), 2B Miles Sheehan (.308/14 HR/49 RBI/50 R), 1B Vito Iacoboni (.294/12 HR/47 RBI/47 R), rookie CF Judd Kilpatrick (.313/2 HR/31 RBI/51 R/14 SB)

Killer Brewster needs a lot of good pitchers to compete in the RU East. His Eastshore Elegants can put runs on the board, but so can the opposition. At mid-season Brewster purged half of his staff in an effort to change the direction the club is heading. The Elegants finished third last year. Eastshore will battle five teams for the final playoff spot.

Cold Creek Catamounts - Seventh Place
T. Kelly Holmes, Manager
.277 BA (8th)
70 HR (7th-tied)
5.32 ERA (32nd)
.975 FA (12th - tied)

Best Pitchers: Jimmy Gustafson (6-2 4.10)

Best Hitters: 1B Johnny Carducci (.329/14 HR/53 RBI/58 R), LF Karl Yashin (.290/15 HR/49 RBI/37 R), Trip Holmes (.283/7 HR/44 RBI/54 R/14 SB), RF Emile Stosha (.296/11 HR/39 RBI/45 R/20 SB), 3B Clancy Daigrepont (.301/2 HR/36 RBI/31 R/7 SB)

Cold Creek's T. Kelly Holmes has a lot in common with Killer Brewster, the Eastshore manager. They both are in dire need of pitching, especially Holmes. Ranked dead last in the Ruthlandian Union with an outrageous 5.32 ERA, Holmes just signed six new pitchers at the All-Star breakn in hopes of turning the season around. The Catamounts have very good hitting, good power and can play defense. They just need some help on the mound. If they get it, a playoff spot is easily within reach. Cold Creek is only two games out of fourth place.

Wynnamac Sundowners - Eighth Place
Matt Donnelly, manager
.273 BA (12th)
41 HR(31st - tied)
3.99 ERA (19th)
.977 (5th - tied)

Best Pitchers: Rich Walters (9-6 3.43), Ulo Illka (5-5 3.44)

Best Batters: 1B Nate Cockcroft (.325/8 HR/40 RBI/30 R), SS Marvin Hollis (.290/2 HR/38 RBI/38 R), 2B Fred Younger (.323/2 HR/21 RBI/53 R), RF Don Hollister (.247/9 HR/50 RBI/30 R)

Matt Donnelly's Sundowners hit for a decent average, but have no power, good defense, but only fair pitching. Still Wynnamac is in striking distance of fourth place and a playoff slot.

Ruthlandian Union East Division Outlook:
Elnora's pitching is so good it is hard not to pick them to win the division. Marston is the second choice because of their good hitting. Sugar Valley will be third, but with its better pitching could pass Marston. Eastshore will get the fourth and final playoff position because it can score runs. Belle Plaine will edge out Beechwood for spot number five, while Cold Creek will score enough runs to outpace Wynnamac for seventh place. The RU East should do well again in the IPA Pro Cup playoffs with the likes of Elnora, Marston and Sugar Valley.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, June 24, 2003

Ruthlandian Union West Division Mid-Season Standings

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, June 24, 2003

Ruthlandian West Division Mid-Season Standings

4 Teams in Battle Royal for RU West Supremacy

It's a battle royal going on in the Ruthlandian Union West Division race at the All-Star break. Four clubs are within 3 games of the division lead at mid-season with Middlefield (42-31) holding a two-game margin over Colfax (40-32) and Forest City (40-32) with the defending IPA crownbearer Volusia (39-34) three games back. The Fort Benton Defenders (33-40) are tied with the Sligo Rovers (33-40) for fifth, 9 games out. The Stoner Stars (32-41) are seventh and the Rocky Rapids Snappers (31-42) are in eighth and last place in the division.

Middlefield Roosters - First Place
Smitty Michaels, manager
.264 BA (22nd)
85 HR (2nd)
4.01 ERA (20th)
.974 FA (17th-tied)

The Middlefield Roosters under manager Smitty Michaels are using the longball to stay atop of the RU West...All-Star CF Ty DeWitt (.282/20 HR/60 RBI/54 R), All-Star P Jackie Lee Bevis (14-2 1.94) and closer Dave Webb (3-0 2.72 16 SV) are the team leaders...1B Al Ludlow (.274/11 HR/54 RBI), LF Cecil Clark (.283/12 HR/44 RBI/47 R/10 SB) and RF Bailey Norcross (.289/11 HR/41 RBI/ 34 R/32 SB) have also stood out with the bats.

Colfax Blasters - Second Place (tie)
Clem Rogers, Manager
.278 BA (7th)
61 HR (14th)
4.29 ERA (26th)
.979 FA (3rd)

Hitting and fielding is carrying the Colfax Blasters this season...Skipper Clem Rogers needs help on the hill... only Jasper LaForge (12-4 3.72) and closer Daric Jacoby (3-4 2.41 13 SV) has been dependable... more often than not Colfax has to outhit the opposition...The Blasters are paced by rookie SS Johnny Spizale (.305/13 HR/52 RBI/40 R), rookie 3B Neely Keeton (.294/60 RBI/14 HR/42 R/7 SB), 1B Dennis Cole (.267/12 HR/42 R/44 R) and 2B Ilya Ivanchuk (.322/2 HR/28 RBI/47 R/8 SB).

Forest City Lumberjacks - Second Place (tie)
Rob Jackson, Manager
.282 BA (3rd)
68 HR (9th)
3.47 ERA (7th)
.975 FA (18th-tied)

Skipper Rob Jackson always has the Lumberjacks in the upper echelon of the IPA... Forest City finished second in 2001 and first last year... Good pitching, good hitting and pretty good power is getting them by this season... Jackson is blessed with four fine starters in Timmy Brooks (9-5 3.09), Frank Loeffler (7-3 2.66), Glenn Moore (7-9 2.94) and Grover Haygood (3-3 2.91)... where he suffers in the bullpen... For the last half of the season he just signed four new pitchers for his relief corps... Forest City will live and die by how they do... The 'Jacks can hit the ball with five .300 batters in the line-up... All-Star RF Chuck Hill (.308/13 HR/64 RBI/47 R) leads the attack with aid from SS Bill Nilsen (.265/13 HR/47 RBI/43 R/11 SB), 1B J. T. Edmonds (.302/6 HR/37 RBI/48 R/9 SB), CF Ryan Morse (.333/4 HR/36 RBI/47 R/11 SB), 2B Jesse Wolf (.322/8 HR/33 RBI/32 R) and 2B Johnny Mack Butler (.340/7 HR/30 RBI/56 R/24 SB).

Volusia Vigilantes - Fourth Place
Alfonso Feliz, manager
.268 BA (20th)
42 HR/30th)
3.32 ERA (5th)
.974 (17th-tied)

The Volusia Vigilantes won the first IPA title in 2001, sweeping the Ginza Ninjas of the Tycobbian Union for the IPA Pro Cup... manager Alfonso Feliz and has always depended on good pitching... this year is no exception with Mike Amato (10-6 3.28), Carl Schmitz (8-7 3.19) and Ricky Moreno (8-6 3.54) heading the mound staff... Closer Hernando Espaderos (0-0 2.22 14 SV) had been effective, too... 2001's ace and IPA hero Raul Sandoval (1-2 2.00) is back in the starting rotation after an off-year in 2002 and being exiled to the bullpen this season... His success is key to how the V's finish this season... At the plate 3B Alejandro Salazar (.266/6 HR/46 RBI/39 R), SS Scooter Perez (.293/5 HR/33 RBI/47 R/30 SB) and CF Ryan Raines (.300/9 HR/33 RBI/42 R/18 SB), all veterans, have been Volusia's best run producers... 2B Chaco Rivera (.319/1 HR/31 RBI/29 R) and RF Lonnie Howard (.295/2 HR/24 RBI/40 R/28 SB) have done well, too.

[Eugene Church]

Fort Benton Defenders - Fifth Place (tie)
Robbie Brooks, manager
.245 BA (32nd)
60 HR (15th)
4.04 ERA (21st)
.970 FA (27th)

Not a whole of good things to say about the Fort Benton Defenders... You really wonder how they are in fifth place looking at their stats... Then again, only two games separate them from last place... Manager Robbie Brooks has only one solid pitcher in Mac Chaney (7-3 3.24) and two pretty decent hitters in rookie C Irvin Small (.269/9 HR/44 RBI/33 R) and RF Russ Murphy (.306/13 HR/40 RBI/44 R/14 SB).

Sligo Rovers - Fifth Place (tie)
.282 BA (4th)
44 HR (29th)
4.33 ERA (29th)
.974 FA (17th-tied)

The Sligo Rovers with Eddie Keys at the helm stand out with the bats, hitting a lofty .282... however the Rovers lack home run power... 1B Shane Redford (.333/3 HR/39 RBI 24 R), 3B Rusty Ellis (.329/4 HR/24 RBI/43 R/21 SB), 2B Jeff Richey (.319/2 HR/25 RBI/39 R/17 SB), C Red Brodnax (.316/3 HR/25 RBI/34 R), LF Lefty Roberts (.275/10 HR/39 RBI/31 R) and SS Hollis Waldrup (.274/7 HR/37 RBI/46 R/37 SB)... on the hill Sligo's best have been Colin McGrath (11-6 3.22), Vern Vidmar (3-0 2.96) and closer Razzy Raziano (2-1 3.38 14 SV)... The Rovers are an average fielding team.

Stoner Stars - Seventh Place
Willie Dickens, manager
.252 BA (29th)
55 HR (21st)
4.13 ERA (22nd)
.972 (22nd)

The Stoner Stars made the playoffs last year, but 2003 has been a tough season for skipper Willie Dickens' crew... the Stars have not had a lot to cheer about, ranking low in most batting and pitching categories... Good pitchers are few in number... Dickens has gotten good work from one starter Mike Atkinson (8-6 3.31 and his closer Kelly Schaeffer (3-5 3.53 16 SV)...Ranked near the bottom in batting, Stoner's best hitters are only mediocre... LF Jalen Nolte (.267/10 HR/28 RBI/32 R) and rookie C Benny Stern (.241/9 HR/44 RBI/31 R) have been the most productive.

Rocky Rapids Snappers - Eight Place
Ryan Noland, manager
.274 BA (11th)
50 HR (24th)
4.23 ERA (24th-tied)
.975 (12th-tied)

Manager Ryan Noland has a good bunch of batters in 1B Stan Haddix (.323/9 HR/49 RBI/35 R), LF Scott Camden (.297/8 HR 43 RBI/52 R/11 SB), 3B Archie Jackman (.289/7 HR/39 RBI/30 R), SS Phil Cates (.300/2 HR/24 RBI/31 R/6 SB), 2B Timmy Peters (.292/10 HR/37 RBI/54 R)... The Snappers need more power in the line-up... Noland only has two pitchers of any merit, both starters, Kirk Beckmann (7-7 3.01) and Charlie Medford (6-3 3,88).

Ruthlandian Union West Division Outlook:
It seems to be clear-cut that Middlefield, Colfax, Forest City and Volusia are the class of the division... the other teams have little chance of making the playoffs this season... Middlefield's power gives them an advantage... the Roosters are favored to take the regular season crown, but with only three games separating the top four teams, it's still a toss-up... Forest City has good balance with good power, excellent hitting and solid pitching and will likely finish in the runner-up spot, but might sneak past Middlefield for the pennant... Volusia with its fine pitching corps will be third and Colfax fourth in the standings... the Blasters hit well, but suffer from a lack of pitching... Any of the bottom four teams could finish as high as fifth with Fort Benton having the best chance because of better pitching... Sligo should be sixth because they hit so well... Rocky Rapids' bats give them the advantage over Stoner for seventh place... the Stars will probably end the season in the RU West basement.

[Eugene Church]

Special Report for edog23 on his favorite team, the Blue Lake Blue Sox.

The Blue Lake Blue Sox are in the Tycobbian Union North Division and managed by Cobb Tyson... The club finished second in 2001 with a 79-72 mark, losing the pennant in a playoff game to the Fairfax Frogs and were eliminated by South Fork in the opening round of the playoffs 4 games to 2... Last year Blue Lake dropped to sixth with a 71-83 record... This season the Blue Sox are tied for fifth with the Luxora Zorros, both with a record of 35-38... Blue Lake was 33-30 and over .500, but have dropped 8 of the last 10 games, the last four in a row... Team stats show the Blue Sox with a .260 BA (26th), 64 homers (13th), 3.98 ERA (14th) and a .975 fielding percentage (9th-tied)...Tyson's top pitchers are Bennie West (7-7 3.17), Neil Krogstad (8-6 3.73) and Paddy O'Rourke (7-5 3.93)... Blue Lake just signed three new pitchers and demoted Jay Clay (4-8 4.48), Pat Henry (5-5 5.36) and Happy McManus (0-1 6.38)... Blue Lake's top hitters are 2B Ken Bennett (.295/8 HR/51 RBI/43 R), RF Fred Collins (.293/13 HR/46 RBI/50 R/23 SB), LF Donnie Frazier (.322/4 HR/35 RBI/24 R) and rookie CF Rick Hilliard (.293/10 HR/35 RBI/43 R/23 SB).

Batting order:

SS Cy Orgeron (.263/2 HR/.979 FA)
CF Rick Hilliard (.293/10 HR/.988 FA) - rookie
RF Fred Collins (.293/13 HR/.962 FA)
2B Ken Bennett (.295/8 HR/.972 FA)
LF Donnie Frazier (.322/4 HR/.925 FA)
1B Fred Taranto (.316/2 HR/.975 FA)
C Curly Harris (.222/4 HR/.982 FA/3 PB/28% RTO)
3B Loren Babcock (.248/7 HR/.985 FA) - rookie

Starting Rotation:
Bennie West (7-7 3.17)
Neil Krogstad (8-6 3.73)
Kenny Flack (0-1 2.82) - rookie
Paddy O'Rourke (7-5 3.93)

Spot Starters/Relievers:
Tom Waltenbury (0-0 0.00) - rookie
Rudy Sarmazzo (0-0 0.00) - rookie

Middle Relievers:
Russ Courtney (3-4 4.43)
Carroll Wendell (0-0 0.00) - rookie

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, June 25, 2003

Tycobbian Union North Division Mid-Season Standings

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, June 25, 2003

Tycobbian Union North Division Mid-Season Standings

Hellcats Rise to the Top, lead Fairfax and Oxford by 4 Games

This season Zim Donner's Hartsdale Hellcats (44-29) have leaped from also-ran status to the top of the heap in the IPA's Tycobbian Union North. Last year they completed the season in fifth place, 14 games off the pace. At the mid-point mark in the 2003 season, the Hellcats have run up a four-game lead over the Fairfax Frogs (40-33) and last year's division-winning Oxford Red Caps (40-33). Rounding out the first division are the surprising North Hills Hawks (38-35), who were division dormats in 2002, but who are only 6 games back. Blue Lake (35-38) and Luxora (35-38)are tied for the fifth spot in the standings, trailing by 9 games, followed by seventh-place Mahaska (34-39) and last place White River (33-40). The Haymakers and the Rascals are 10 and 11 games back, respectively.

Donner, skipper of the first-place Hartsdale Hellcats told BNN, "Good pitching has made all the difference. When you have two All-Star starters like Kostro and Vaitkus, it certainly makes my job easier." Not only are the Hellcats ranked high with a superb 3.33 team ERA (2nd), but they are also hitting the cover off the ball with a .286 batting average (2nd) and 67 roundtrippers (12th). Zimmer's squad is also no sloutch on defense with a fine .977 fielding percentage (6th).

Rookie Gus Kostro (13-3 2.80) and Tal Vaitkus (11-3 2.41) head up a talented Hartsdale hill corps with some help from Danny Griffin (4-0 1.98) and closer Nico Carnera (3-6 1.78), who has 11 saves. In the batter's box the Hellcats are sparked by 1B Mac Faulker (.306/15 HR/66 RBI/59 R), who is leading the IPA in RBIs, SS Jud Turchin (.308/4 HR/32 RBI/56 R/12 SB), CF Mel Poe (.307/8 HR/27 RBI/44 R), 2B Hoppy Hill (.326/2 HR/37 RBI/37 R) and 3B Whiz Weaver (.252/11 HR/48 RBI/38 R).

Harry Buckley is in charge of the Fairfax Frogs, who are running neck-and-neck with the Oxford Red Caps, piloted by Campy Roy. The Frogs and Red Caps are deadlocked currently for second place. Fairfax's top performers are All-Star hurler Robby Meredith (9-4 2.80), and All-Star RF Gregg Vincent (.294/21 HR/54 RBI/45 R), 1B Jeff Vretsos (.312/7 HR/41 RBI/32 R) and SS Warren Lee (.290/10 HR/34 RBI/31 R)... Reason for the Frogs success? "Good pitching and the home run get us by most of the time" is what Buckley told reporters... Fairfax fields well, too, with a .975 fielding percentage (9th).

Roy and the Red Caps won the division last year and are right back near the top. Oxford uses the same formula as Fairfax - good pitching and great home run power... They are third with 85 homers and fifth with a fine 3.37 ERA... Pacing the pitchers are All-Star Dan Phillips (12-5 3.31) and Bomber Belinsky (10-6 2.63)... Roy also has Nicky Nickolson (6-8 2.31) and Alec Bowman (5-3 3.65) to round out his starting foursome... The Red Caps main run producers are 3B Joe Courtney (.347/22 HR/58 RBI/60 R), who tops the Tycobbian Union with 22 roundtrippers, CF Ike Plunkett (.275/16 HR/46 RBI/48 R/8 SB), LF Mack Spencer (.255/17 HR/43 RBI/42 R) and rookie C Brad Earp (.271/11 HR/41 RBI/25 R).

The fourth place North Hills Hawks have made a good comeback under manager Hub Carlson, a great southpaw in his day in the company leagues... The Hawks are presently 6 games behind... In 2002 they ended the season a distant 21 games off the pace and finished in last place... The turnabout has been accomplishted with good pitching... North Hills has compiled an impressive 3.35 ERA (4th) with a starting rotation of Jaybird Jackson (9-5 3.10), Ben Dewberry (8-8 2.69), Stan Ballard (4-4 2.18) and Leland Clinkscales (4-1 2.15)... The Hawks are batting a mediocre .262 (24th) with only 51 home runs (26th-tied)... Not too good defensively, either, with a poor .971 fielding average (26th)... 3B Russell Beal (.331/3 HR/43 RBI/34 R), RF Trent Gilbert (.337/5 HR/40 RBI/50 R/9 SB), CF Roy Stainbrook (.247/13 HR/42 RBI/45 R/13 SB) and LF Kevin Schmidt (.286/10 HR/48 RBI/35 R) have carried the offensive load for North Hills.

The Blue Lake Blue Sox are managed by Cobb Tyson... The club finished second in 2001 with a 79-72 mark, losing the pennant in a playoff game to the Fairfax Frogs and were eliminated by South Fork in the opening round of the playoffs 4 games to 2... Last year Blue Lake dropped to sixth with a 71-83 record... This season the Blue Sox are tied for fifth with the Luxora Zorros, both with a record of 35-38... Blue Lake was 33-30 and over .500, but have dropped 8 of the last 10 games, the last four in a row... Team stats show the Blue Sox with a .260 BA (26th), 64 homers (13th), 3.98 ERA (14th) and a .975 fielding percentage (9th-tied)...Tyson's top pitchers are Bennie West (7-7 3.17), Neil Krogstad (8-6 3.73) and Paddy O'Rourke (7-5 3.93)... Blue Lake just signed three new pitchers and demoted Jay Clay (4-8 4.48), Pat Henry (5-5 5.36) and Happy McManus (0-1 6.38)... Blue Lake's top hitters are 2B Ken Bennett (.295/8 HR/51 RBI/43 R), RF Fred Collins (.293/13 HR/46 RBI/50 R/23 SB), LF Donnie Frazier (.322/4 HR/35 RBI/24 R) and rookie CF Rick Hilliard (.293/10 HR/35 RBI/43 R/23 SB).

The fifth place Luxora Zorros are having only a so-so season and are guided by Alejandro Rodrigo... The Z's hold their own within the division, but falter outside it... The team has a .270 batting average (16th) with 59 homers (20th), a good 3.69 ERA (9th), but are fielding only .972 (23rd)... Rodrigo's best pitchers are starter Andy Stevens (6-2 2.92) and his closer, Elio Laurente (3-4 2.75) with 9 saves... Tito Tovares (8-8 3.51) and Eddie Hoffman (6-7 3.73) have started the bulk of the club's games and have done well at times... Rookie C Otto Kronvath (.275/18 HR/47 RBI/39 R) and CF Lacey Tompkins (.321/10 HR/43 RBI/49 R) are the Zorros main bats with some help from 3B Pablo Santa Cruz (.327/2 HR/26 RBI/35 R/13 SB) and 1B Paul Hallenbeck (.266/8 HR/34 RBI/32 R).

Seventh in the TU North are Rusty Tanussa's Mahaska Haymakers, who have fallen in the standings this season... They were a playoff team last year and ranked fourth in the race... The Haymakers are only 10 games out, just four away from a playoff spot, so all is not lost yet... Tanussa is in the same boat as many managers around the IPA that need more hitting and more home runs to compete... Mahaska has two good starters in Boomerang Hines (9-9 3.03) and Kolya Andrasko (6-7 3.14)...on the mound the team has a fairly good .365 ERA (10th)... at the plate the Haymakers are only hitting .262 (25th) with 53 homers (23rd)... CF Mel Ballard (.264/8 HR/34 RBI/29 R), RF Ira Engelstad (286/9 HR/33 RBI/32 R) and rookie C Mike Konjorsky (.282/4 HR/25 RBI/29 R) are the most productive, but poor in comparison to most teams... in the field Mahaska is better than the average team and has a .975 mark (9th).

White River is not improved over its initial foray into the IPA... Last season the Rascals was seventh, this year they are eighth and last... Fortunately skipper John Randison can still salvage the season... his club is only 4 games away from a playoff position... so it wouldn't take much to change the Rascals situation... White River is near the bottom in hitting with a pathetic .258 average (30th) and 58 home runs (21st)... pitching-wise its team ERA is 4.14 (21st)... defensively, the Rascals are quite good with a .979 fielding percentage (2nd-tied)... Topping Randison's rotation are Dante Langlais (10-4 3.61) and Mick Cronyn (4-3 2.15)... His best bats are 1B Al Joyner (.283/13 HR/36 RBI/29 R), 3B Rupert Doan (.284/7 HR/34 RBI/29 R/7 SB), CF Hal Hoover (.280/6 HR/29 R/36 R/12 SB) and LF Roy Cochran (.289/6 HR/25 RBI/24 R).

Tycobbian Union North Division Outlook:
It should be quite a second half with Hartsdale predicted to prevail... Fairfax, Oxford and North Hills will be in the thick of the fight, but they seem to have too many unknowns compared to the Hellcats... North Hills looks like they might be the second-place team due to improved pitching... Fairfax will take the third spot, followed by Oxford in the fourth spot... Luxora gets the nod for fifth place over Blue Lake because the Zorros pitching and hitting is just a little bit better than the Blue Sox... White River seems improved going into the last half of the year and will probably end up seventh... its pitchers could lift them up as high as fifth, although it is doubtful the Rascals can make the playoffs... they just don't score enough runs... Mahaska seems headed for the cellar and will finish eighth this year... Too many question marks on the roster and too little hitting.