ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, October 6, 2003

Islandian Pro Cup Series - Game Two at Turon

Turon's Pickett Tosses 2-Hitter, Lead Vipers 2-0
Jeb Pickett was magnificent on the mound as he tossed a two-hit shutout to put the surprising Turon Typhoons ahead two-games-to-none in the best-of-five Islandian Pro Cup title series. Manager Whitey Richburn is just one victory away from the trophy after Pickett blanked potent Valmara 6-0 in the second game. Pickett (1-2 2.76) had a perfect game for five and two-thirds innings, finally giving up a walk to pinchhitter Ralph Pace to break the spell. Pickett had a no-hitter until CF Jan Szymanski (.280) singled to lead off the eighth. 3B Zoran Belakov also doubled in the inning after Szymanski was thrown out by RF George Farley when he tried to tag up on a short fly ball. Pickett, Turon's biggest winner with a 17-7 record in the regular season, struck out seven and walked one in a superlative performance over one of the best-hitting ballclubs in the IPA. The Typhoons handled Valmara's ace Danny Blauser (3-1 3.31) roughly, tagging him for four runs in five hits in five innngs to give him his first playoff loss after three wins. Two of the runs, however, were unearned. Turon cracked 10 hits in all, sparked by C Trace Crittenden (.280), who had two RBIs. SS John-Paul Trevenot (.275) put them ahead 1-0 in the fourth with a double. They added on three more in the fifth on RBIs by LF Lance Ambrose (.324), Crittenden and 3B Ernie Fletcher (.265). A balk and a single by Crittenden plated tow more to made it 6-0 in the sixth.

The championship series now changes venues to Valmara. Turon will try to wrap it tomorrow afternoon at War Memorial Stadium.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, October 7, 2003

Islandian Pro Cup Playoffs - Game Three at Valmara

Turon Typhoons Sweep Pro Cup From Valmara
Nobody believed in the Turon Typhoons, but they believed in themselves and swept the powerful Valmara Vipers in three games to take the Islandian Pro Cup, emblematic of the best in professional baseball. Manager Ashton "Whitey" Richburn got another good pitching performance from big 6'7" James Longstreet (4-0 1.05) as he stopped Valmara 5-3. The 30-year-old righthander held the Vipers to just one run over seven innings while the Typhoons ran up a 5-1 lead. Longstreet weakened in the eighth and needed relief from Richburn's superb closer Mac Yokum, who nailed down the game and the championship. It was Yokum's (0-0 0.00) fifth save in the playoffs. In seven appearances he worked 11 innings and did not allow a single run. LF Lance Ambrose (.341) and 2B Ronnie Mikkelsen (.218) paced the Turon 11-hit attack with two hits and two RBIs apiece. Valmara got on the board first in the second inning when they loaded the bases with two walks and a single and scored on a double-play ball. Ambrose tied it up 1-1 with a single in the third frame. In the fourth Mikkelsen doubled in two runs and 3B Ernie Fletcher (.283) drove in a third one with a single to increase the Typhoons lead to 4-1. In the seventh Ambrose batted in Turon's final run with a single. With the bases loaded on Longstreet's wildness in the eighth, the Vipers got two runs on a error and a wild pitch when Yokum came on and got Turon out of the inning. In the ninth he retired Valmara in order.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, October 8, 2003

Turon Hurler Longstreet Named Playoffs MVP
This year's best player in the Islandian Pro Alliance playoffs was a surprise. James Longstreet got a late start this season. He didn't even join the Turon Typhoons until the first of July and spent his first month in the IPA mostly in the bullpen with an occasional spot start. It was August before he was a part of the regular rotation. Longstreet finished the year with a nondescript 5-4 record, but with an impressive 2.95 ERA. Then he blossomed in the playoffs and now has been voted the Most Valuable Player in the IPA Pro Cup Playoffs, edging out his teammate Mac Yokum. Longstreet was the top votegetter in the BNN poll with 60 votes. Closer Yokum was a close second with 51. Turon center fielder Lance Ambrose was a distant third with 4 votes.

Longstreet was superb in the playoffs with a 4-0 record in five starts, compiling a microscopic 1.05 ERA against the best teams in the IPA. He pitched nine shutout innings in the game where he did not get the decision, which was won 2-1 in 12 innings. Longstreet won the decisive third game in the Pro Cup finals.

As good as Longstreet was, Mac Yokum was his equal. Yokum made seven postseason appearances with five saves. Yokum did not give up a run in 11 innings, while holding teams to a .150 batting average. Both were vital parts of Turon's title run.

Ambrose led the Typhoons at the plate in the postseason with several timely and key hits. He paced them with a .341 batting average, drove in 7 runs and scored 9 times.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Friday, October 10, 2003

Kazmarek, Nardone, Zuccaro and Keeton Capture Awards in Ruthlandian Union
For the second year in a row Valmara's left fielder Jet Kazmarek has been selected the Most Valuable Player in the Ruthlandian Union. This season Kazmarek sparked the Vipers to the RU North crown with a .358 batting mark, tops in the league. He also set a new record for stolen bases with 102, breaking the old mark of 95. Kazmarek had 44 doubles, 16 triples and 14 home runs with 91 RBIs and 117 runs scored.

Tars Nardone Best RU Hurler
The Golden Arm Award winner for 2003 in the Ruthlandian Union is Anthony Nardone of Taranto. "It's always nice to receive an award like this," the Tars star told reporters. Nardone excelled with an impressive 22-10 record in 39 starts for a fifth-place team. In 304 innings he yielded 258 hits and 77 walks, while striking out 257 and compiling a fine 2.31 ERA, which led the league. Nardone had 13 complete games.

Golden Bat Goes to Taranto's Zuccaro
It's been a year of triumph for Dominic Zuccaro of the Taranto Tars as he hit his way to the 2003 Ruthlandian Union Golden Bat Award. The 32-year-old veteran compiled a .320 average and .398 on-base percentage by putting together 183 hits, 39 doubles, 8 triples, 42 home runs and 72 walks. He also scored 107 times and drove in 127 runs. Zuccaro led the RU in RBIs and tied his teammate Teddy Giacone for the most roundtrippers.

Colfax Keeton RU's Best Newcomer
What a season it was for Colfax's Neely Keeton in this new star's first year in the Ruthlandian Union. He put together a year that earned him the 2003 Rookie of the Year Award. The 31-year-old rookie third baseman crunched some good numbers with a .285 batting average to go with his 27 home runs, 114 RBIs and 80 runs scored. He also won the Golden Glove Award and compiled an excellent .971 fielding average.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Saturday, October 11, 2003

Hartsdale's Rookie Wins Multiple Awards in Tycobbian Union
Gus Kostro was in his late 30's when the IPA came into being in 2001. Kostro was a very successful pitcher in amateur ball, but he was "too old" for pro baseball. Noboby wanted him. Well, nobody but Zim Donner. The manager of the Hartsdale Hellcats signed him this season at the age of 40 and it paid off handsomely. All Kostro did was win 25 games and lead the Hellcats from worst to first and a Tycobbian Union North title. Kostro also added several awards to his sensational season by winning the TU Most Valuable Player Award, Golden Arm Award, and at the age of 40, the Rookie of the Year Award.

Kostro gleefully said at the IPA Awards presentation, "Not bad for an old worn-out pitcher, was it?" Commenting on his situation, "It was very frustrating that no one would give me a chance. I knew I could play in the IPA. Thank goodness, Zim gave me a chance."

Donner said, "Don't give me too much credit. He was a just as good last year and I didn't sign him. We were just desperate for pitching. Desperate managers do desperate things - even sign 40-year-olds."

Kostro posted a record of 25 wins and 6 losses this year with a 2.39 ERA. In 39 starts he struck out 201 and walked 84 in 308 innings with four shutouts and 11 complete games.

Oxford's Joe Courtney Gets Tycobbian Union Golden Bat Award
Oxford's third baseman Joe Courtney teed off on opposing pitching all season long and claimed the Tycobbian Union Golden Bat Award today. Courtney led the IPA with 47 homers. He belted out 181 hits in 529 at-bats to compile a .342 batting average and a .458 on-base percentage in 2003. He also racked up 23 doubles, 5 triples, 47 home runs. Courtney finished second with 122 RBIs and in runs with 127. Hartsdale first baseman Mac Faulkner led in RBIs with 134 and East Point second baseman Karol Zadoka was tops in runs scored with 134.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Sunday, October 12, 2003

Ruthlandian Union Best Fielders Selected
"Flashing the leather" and "good with the glove" are ways to describe players who help their teams by playing great defense. Today the most dependable glovemen in the Ruthlandian Union for 2003 were announced, headed by two-time winners, catcher Slingshot McFall of Sugar Valley and outfielder Dixie Baker of Claxton. Golden Glove Awards will be presented to these top-notch defenders:

Pitcher: Smokey Joe Carter (Waleska Westerners) .980 FA
Catcher: Slingshot McFall (Sugar Valley Rattlers) .998 FA 59% RTO
First Baseman: Dennis Cole (Colfax Blasters) .997 FA
Second Baseman: Cyclone Cobb (San Dimas Rancheros) .987 FA
Third Baseman: Yoshihide Nishida (Waleska Westerners) .963 FA
Shortstop: Flipper Bird (Sugar Valley Rattlers) .977 FA
Left Fielder: Dixie Baker (Claxton Diamonds) .980 FA
Center Fielder: Trip Holmes (Cold Creek Catamounts) .995 FA
Right Fielder: Bailey Norcross (Middlefield Roosters) .976 FA

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Monday, October 13, 2003

TU Gold Glovers Announced
"Ball hawk" is a good name for the members of the defensive elite, the players who make things happen with their gloves. They make great catches and great plays. They are the Tycobbian Union's Golden Glove Award winners. Turon's fine first baseman Boots Dubois was named for the second consecutive season. Here are this year's best defenders:

Pitcher: Coorain Janama (Tuckanarra Blue Jays) .976 FA
Catcher: Darryl Burnett (South Fork Stallions) .990 FA 46% RTO
First Baseman: Boots Dubois (Turon Typhoons) .997 FA
Second Baseman: Karol Zodoka (East Point Panthers) .983 FA
Third Baseman: Loren Babcock (Blue Lake Blue Sox) .971 FA
Shortstop: Cy Orgeron (Blue Lake Blue Sox) .983 FA
Left Fielder: Art Atkins (South Fork Stallions) 1.000 FA
Center Fielder: Kermit Wiggins (Ozarka Naturals) .991 FA
Right Fielder: Danny Mullins (Cape Coral Hurricanes) .994 FA

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, October 14, 2003

St. John's Billings Voted Outstanding Manager in RU
No team in the Islandian Pro Alliance had a bigger turnaround than the St. John Crusaders. Under the leadership of manager Dickie Billings the Crusaders leaped from worst to first in just one season. For his great efforts Billings has been voted the overwhelming choice for the Manager of the Year in the Ruthlandian Union.

Billings outpolled Valmara's J. Jackson Samuel, Elnora's Zoggy White, Ranford's Page Satcher and Volusia's Alfonso Feliz for the award. Billings got 95 of the votes with Samuel a distant second with 10. Satcher, White and Feliz rounded out the poll with 7, 5 and 3 votes respectively.

Billings guided the Crusaders to a first place finish with an 89-65 record and won the division by four games over Belair Beach. The previous year St. John had finished dead last with a 68-86 mark, 17 games off the pace.

Billings told reporters at the Baseball Writers Association awards presentation, "It is an honor to be even mentioned along the side the names of the other managers in the league. We have some darn good managers in the Ruthlandian Union. To be rated the best this year is really something."

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, October 15, 2003

Hellcat Donner Honored As TU Skipper of the Year
The Baseball Writers Association have picked Hartsdale's Zim Donner as the Tycobbian Union Manager of the Year. A year ago the Hellcats were wallowing in fifth place with a 72-82 record in the TU North Division, 14 games out of first place. This year Zim Donner got them on the right track and piloted them to the division pennant with an 88-66 mark, edging out the Oxford Red Caps and Fairfax Frogs by a game.

But the modest Donner doesn't take any credit for the success of the Hellcats. He told reporters, "It's the players that win ballgames. I look at this as an organizational award," Donner said, "but also an award that our entire staff should feel proud of."

Mel Poe, the veteran Hartsdale center field, said, "He won't admit it, but Zim was a huge part of the success we've had this year, but he would never say that."

He doesn't have to. For one day, at least, it's all about Donner.

The CEO of Pioneer Beer, the company that owns the Hellcats, told the press, "It's a culmination of the body of work he's put in here since the day he got here. He's so much more than just a manager. Zimmy's been a core member of the leadership team that's guided our club to this point."

Donner had some tough competition for the honor. He received 40 votes to 35 for Cape Coral's Huggy Miller, who finished second in the balloting. Miller's Hurricanes improved from seventh place to second this year in the South Division. A close third with 30 votes was Red Bluff's Mack Connery, who improved his Red Sox from sixth place to the top spot in the East Division. Fourth in the ranking with 10 votes was Hub Carlson of the North Hills Hawks. They rose from last place in the North up to the fifth spot in the standings. Coming in fifth and named on five ballots was Ford Whiteman, the skipper of the Denton City Redbirds. They climbed from seventh to third this season.

[Eugene Church]

Well, that finishes off Year Three of the IPA.

I will now draft new rookies and assign them to teams, then revamp pitching rotations, line-ups and depth charts for 2004.

It may take a week or so.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Thursday, October 16, 2003

Around the Town In the Islandian Pro Alliance

TURON TYPHOONS

Owner: Anastas International Shipping

GM/Manager: Ashton “Whitey” Richburn

The Turon Typhoons are the brand new champions of the Islandian Pro Alliance. They swept the favored Valmara Vipers in three games to take this year's crown.

Turon is a seaport town of 118,000 in the Caledonia River basin on the southwestern coast of Tycobbia and its second largest population-wise. The Caledonia River terminates here after winding 500 miles from east to west from Red Bluff in the central Silver Mountains southward through Hillsboro and then flowing westward near the towns of South Fork, Denton City and Arlon. The river finally comes to an end in Turon and empties into the Kelnyck Ocean and Southern Sea.

It is a cosmopolitan town with a diversified economy and a mecca for tourists. Turon is a busy trade and distribution center with many shipping interests. Agriculture flourishes here with extensive farmlands in the Caledonia River basin. It is also a diversity of cultures and was settled in the 1840s and 1850s by French, Scottish, Irish and German settlers, who came to get away from religious intolerance and persecution. Southerners from the United States came in good numbers after the Civil War defeat. Turon became their New South, but minus the slave culture.

Turon is resplendent with beauty. Streets and boulevards lined with grand live oak trees and antebellum mansions. In the countryside are majestic plantations. Near the coast you'll find sugar-white sandy beaches. You'll find plenty of Old World in Turon, but also plenty of the Modern World, too.

The Turon Typhoons of the IPA's South Division in a very modern baseball palace, Typhoon Stadium. It is built with concrete and steel to withstand the occasional typhoon that emanates from the cold and icy waters of the Kelnyck Ocean. The old ballpark was completely destroyed twice in 1938 and 1967. The new stadium was completed in 1999 and houses the Tyrobbian Baseball Hall of Fame, a must-see for all Islandian baseball fans. It covers the entire spectrum and includes memorabilia from the amateur, college and industrial leagues.

The Typhoons really are active promoters with something going on each inning during the ballgames. All kinds of promotions, games and stunts to enliven and entertain the fans. Wild music tracks fill the stadium to rally the Typhoons and their fans. Concessions are stocked with all of the traditional ballpark delights.

Turon is owned by wealthy shipping tycoon, Onnie Anastas. His GM and Manager is Ashton “Whitey” Richburn, one of the finest defensive center fielders and lead-off men in Tycobbian baseball history.

Typhoon Stadium (1999)

Capacity: 8,010

Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 335
Left Field - 355
Left Center - 380
Center Field - 410
Right Center - 380
Right Field - 355
Right Field Line - 345

[Eugene Church]

Here is a map of the Islands.

[Eugene Church]

Special thanks to Raideroo, who wrote 95% of this Valmara town history.

The Islandian Times

Friday, October 17, 2003

Around the Town in the Islandian Pro Alliance

The Valmara Vipers completed an almost-great 2003 season. They won the North Division in a very close battle with the Ranford Bulls. The Vipers compiled a 95-54 mark and finished three games up on Ranford. Only San Alejo of the Tycobbian Union had more victories. The Montaneros won 96 games.

But Valmara ran into a red-hot Turon Typhoon team in the Islandian Pro Cup Series and lost in three straight games. Still it was a fine season for them.

VALMARA VIPERS

Owner: Viper Offshore Services, headed by Capt. Stanislaw Lem, Ruthlandia Navy (ret)

GM/Mgr: J. Jackson Samuel

Valmara is located in the northeastern part of Valdar Island, a port town of 81,000 people on Valmara Bay, an excellent deep water harbor. A clash of a warm Valerian Ocean current and a cold Kelnyck Ocean provides for heavy early morning fogs.

The town began as a small fishing village in the 1880s and pretty much remained that way until the late 1930s. Valmara has never been considered a pleasant place to live with rocky soil, thick ocean fogs and moss growing everywhere. If not for its wonderful port, no one in their right mind would live there. The harbor and the port have brought commerce and jobs.The prime industries of Valmara revolve around the sea, be it catching and processing fish, servicing deep-ocean oil rigs or supporting the ten-ship navy of Ruthlandia.

With the threat of world war on the horizon in 1938, the Ruthlandian government established Valdarian Military Academy, a college for cadets and midshipmen studying for future service in the Ruthlandian Navy.

During the Second World War, Ruthlandia was swept up in the maelstrom in the nation's first and only war. The nation sent a regiment of troops and fighter squadron to Italy, where they served with the 2nd Polish Corps at Monte Cassino. After the war, many Poles opted not to return to their Soviet-occupied nation and several hundred emigrated to Ruthlandia. Many of the ex-soldiers did not go far past Valmara when they got off the boat.

Over the next four decades, many Poles emigrated (or escaped) from behind the Iron Curtain to Ruthlandia. After two generations of migration and birth, more than half of the town is of Polish descent.

The Valmara Vipers are owned by Capt. Stanislaw Lem, RN (ret.) of Viper Offshore Services. He is not related to the noted author of the same name, which often causes non-native reporters much trouble. The owner likes to be called "The Captain" in public. Lem made a small fortune after his navy career operating ships and helicopters that serve offshore oil rigs. Thanks to the recent spike of oil prices, his company's profits have gone through the roof. The Captain had no problem coming up with money to buy a franchise in the Islandian Pro Alliance, the first pro baseball league in the Islands history. Valmara plays in the Ruthlandian Baseball Union in the North Division.

The Valmara Vipers will play their games at historic old War Memorial Stadium. Amateur and industrial league teams have used it for years. It is dedicated to the memory of the 121 men from Ruthlandia killed in action in the Italian campaign during the Second World War. It is a old stadium built for football and soccer, but improvised and used for baseball since 1946. The Captain commissioned noted architectural company HOK to renew the old park into a suitable baseball park. He spared no expense in updating the old stadium with modern technology and conveniences. Yet it still retains the charm of an old stadium.

Game-Day Experience:

Like many successful immigrants, the people of Valmara have fiercely adopted the values of their new nation. Ruthlandia's flag is navy blue and green. In Valmara, it's just taken to a ridiculous extreme. The team’s colors are navy blue and green. So are the water towers, the dockyard cranes, the street signs and the new city hall.

Captain Lem wanted to build a new ballpark, but the city fathers persuaded him to just refurbish the old stadium in the old part of town to be an anchor for a new mixed residential-commercial district. Civic pride got the best of the Captain and he agreed to use War Memorial Stadium. The civic renewal project has been quite successful. Because there is little parking nearby, fans have to walk nearly a quarter mile to the park. On the way, they are treated to a dozen new restaurants, bars, and pubs. The integration into the neighborhood is considered to be charming. The revitalization project has brought a good deal of commerce and energy into the east side of town. The worst of the neighborhood was torn down. The city fathers have expanded the renovations and giving the old town a new look.

Food:
Fans love to scarf down bigos (cabbage and meat stew) and rye bread at cafes adjacent to the ballpark. Inside the park, everyone loves perogis (potato and cheese dumplings). Several years ago, The Captain persuaded Mama Kolski's Restaurant (home of the best perogis in town) to open a stand at his new ballpark and it was a big hit.

Beer sales are strictly regulated by city ordinance to two beers per person. This is due to the locals’ love of pale lagers that are 9% alcohol. Also, for a strange unknown reason, draft Coors is a trendy choice.

Ambiance:
Music at the ballpark is best described as LOUD. The Captain installed a very modern, very powerful sound system at the refurbished stadium.

More than a decade ago, a sound system operator substituted the Village People's "In the Navy" for the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch and started a new tradition. It was a college night at an industrial league game, with plenty of middies from Valdarian Military Academy on hand and many crewmembers from the frigates Viper and Foxx. It was a smash hit, no doubt fueled by a hot autumn evening, cold pale lager and the nine-run Viper lead. Since then, "In the Navy" has been played during the seventh inning stretch of every game save one -- the first game at the revamped War Memorial Stadium. The Captain hates the tune and thought with the public reopening that the club could stop playing that vile song. During the Vipers first exhibition game this year, the fans nearly rioted and the stadium's debut was marred with a near five-minute interruption of boos before play resumed. Wisely, The Captain made a quick command decision and allowed "In the Navy" to be played during the 8th inning break...and during every game since. Of course, the Captain saw to it that "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was restored to its revered seventh inning spot.

In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on now, people, make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)

Mascot

The Captain (he considers himself a traditionalist) did not believe in having a mascot until he put his own money into the old ball park. At that point, he had to figure out how to attract every dollar possible from every fan possible. So Vippy and Vippa Viper came into being. They parade around the ballpark entertaining the fans and leading cheers, dances and songs. Viper fans are noted for hissing at the umpires and the opposing teams. The Captain sells a lot Vippy and Vippa apparel and memorabilia...even rents them out to for birthday parties at the stadium, when the team is on the road.

History

Baseball on Valdar Island had a late beginning. Due to the Island topography, climate and lack of mineral deposits it was not as desirable as the Ruthlandian mainland, so it was bypassed by the immigrants until about 1910, when the towns of Valmara, Ancona, Kilkenny, Fairhaven and Ranford sprang up. From 1910 to 1920, touring amateur baseball teams from the mainland would play games from time to time and the game was introduced slowly. But it did catch on. In a desire to assimilate with the rest of the country, where baseball was like a religion, the Valdarians took to the game with passion and fervor. Amateur baseball clubs and company-based teams began to organize in the 1920s. By the mid-1940's Valdar Island baseball was as good as the Mainland.

The Valmara Vipers trace their history from the frigate Viper, which had a team in the Naval League in the 1940's. When the amateur league players became semi-pros in the 1950s and worked and played baseball for companies, the Vipers were sponsored by Marine Midland Bank. The Captain played baseball for his service team in the 1960s and was active in the industrial leagues as a sponsor in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Since Captain Lem had been the captain of the frigate Viper in the late 1960s, when it came to naming his IPA franchise, it was a no-brainer. The Valmara Vipers were born.

The team is managed by J. Jackson Samuel, a run-of-the-mill industrial league player that became a legendary manager. Samuel broke Jay Loman's record for the most Silver Whale Cups, given to the best amateur team on Valdar Island. Loman was the manager of the Ancona Red Elephants in the 1920s and won nine straight Valdar Island League titles. Samuel won 12 during his amateur career.

War Memorial Stadium (1946)

Capacity: 9,595

Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 330
Left Field - 350
Left Center - 380
Center Field - 400
Right Center - 370
Right Field - 330
Right Field Line - 309

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

March 1, 2004

Ancona Needs a Lot of Improvement
There is nowhere for the Ancona Red Elephants to go but upward. Things can't get any worse than last place in the TU South for the last two seasons. Manager Manny Mickens has suffered from a lack of pitching and hitting. This season his Red Elephants may be a little better, but not a lot better. The outlook is for a low finish again.

Pitcher Carl Costas, obtained last season from Elnora, got a new lease on life. The All-Stars had stuck him in the bullpen and he was the forgotten man. In late June Costas was traded for 3B Dimitri Vrotsos in a good trade for both teams. A crafty lefthander, Costas responded with a 10-5 record in the second half of the year, completing the year at 13-7 with a fine 3.27 ERA. The trade was even better for Elnora as they picked up a power hitter that is capable of hitting 30 homers a season and only gave up a little-used pitcher.

Mickens is excited about his 18-year-old rookie left fielder Louie DiMucci, a much-heralded slugger, who is expected to contend for the rookie of the year award and be a potent force in his first season. According to BNN analysts DiMucci is expected to hit .300, hit 25 homers and drive in 100 runs. Mickens said the hype is similar to when he was a high school phenom making his debut in the industrial league. Mickens said, "It took me a year to adjust to the higher caliber of play and the high expectations placed on me. My first season was quite an ordeal. I will try not to put any added pressure on Louie. I just want him to play ball and do the best he can. He will be given time to adjust from high school to pro ball. We do not expect him to be a miracle worker. We just want him to make us a better ball club... and he will... given time."

Ancona will improve only if two new hurlers can come in and make an impact on the mound staff. RHPs Yannis Vardakis and Ernie Harrell are slated to split starts with the vet George Agelakos (12-21 4.04) as the number four man in the rotation. Mickens is hoping for improvement from #2 starter Lenny Ameche (10-9 3.42) and #3 starter Nikon Maragos (2-3 2.80), who was a middle reliever last year.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

March 1, 2004

Outlook Dismal For Arlon Champions
Gary Louis' Arlon Champs have gone progressively down in their first three seasons, finishing 4th, 5th and 6th in the Tycobbian Union West. And the outlook for 2004 is not much better. Arlon is pretty much the same team as last year. But they should be able to stay ahead of the Kenwood Wildcats and La Claire Lynx, who don't seem to have improved over last season.

The Champions top performers are outfielders Matt Merrill (.304/24 HR/97 RBI) and Ian Carmack (.300 BA/21 HR/83 RBI), but with little help offensively from the rest of the roster. The only newcomers to the line-up are light-hitting defensive players 2B Lou Sanders and SS Jason Holloman, who will improve the defense some, but offer very little in run production.

On the hill, skipper Louis has praise for new signee, 34-year-old righthander Jose Gonzales, who will step in as Arlon's number three starter. Scouts say Gonzales is a prime prospect that has everything to be successful in the IPA - great movement, control and location. He will join last year's ace, RHP Kirk DeHaan (16-16 3.64), RHP Jeff Nieman (6-15 3.86) and RHP Connie Gavagan (8-11 3.73) in the young rotation. Nieman is 29, while DeHaan and Gavagan are 22. Louis is hoping the veteran Gonzales can share his 16 years of success in the industrial leagues with the youngsters.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

March 1, 2004

The Suns Will Not Rise in the IPA in '04

The letter "A" must be for "awful" in the Islandian Pro Alliance. So far Ancona, Arlon and now Arroyo Grande have received less than glowing forecasts for the 2004 IPA season. All of them have been dreadful in the past and the future is not much better.

Manager Jean-Luc Marchand's Arroyo Suns have lost at least 100 games in each of its two seasons in the league, ending up in the TU South basement both times, almost 50 games out of first place. Even if they improve, they will not catch the teams above them. The talent and skill differential is just too great.

Having said that, it appears that the Suns will be improved. They have three rookies that will make the starting line-up - three newcomers with impressive credentials. One of them is being touted as a "super stud". His name is Elliott Borden, a 6'3" center fielder, built like a Greek god, that can run like the wind, catch everything in sight, hit everything out of sight and rarely strikes out. Marchand says Borden is the real McCoy, a splendid ballplayer. "Elliott will be in the running for the rookie of the year award. 25 homers and 100 RBIs are not out of the question." Borden only down side is his age - the gifted rookie is 34 years old and according to sportwriters, he may be past his prime. Marchand countered that argument saying, "He may be old for a rookie, but the talent is still there. Our scouts say he had his best season ever in the company league last year and seems to be getting better and better each year."

Arroyo Grande has two other rookies with potential. Bartolo Tizano will be platooned in right field, giving the Suns another fine defender and a good hitter with decent power. 2B Alberto Ibarra will team with SS Kevin English to give them a strong defense up the middle. Ibarra is an excellent glove man and good contact hitter and can occasionally hit the ball out.

Marchand will go with a five-man rotation early in the season so he can quickly find out his best arms. Norberto Lacasa (8-7 3.26), LHP Ramon Mantilla (6-4 3.36), LHP Miguel Aguilera (4-9 3.76) and LHP Hector Morales (1-3 3.54) will be given a chance to prove themselves along with Alonso Estrada, who is back for a second try after sitting out last season. He was 8-18 with a 5.57 ERA in the club's first season. Estrada will be a spot starter with Luc Juneau (10-17 4.84) and LHP Marty Patino (0-3 5.82).

Arroyo Grande's biggest run producer is last season's sensation, 1B Cristian Avajos, who batted .290 with 23 homers and 59 RBIs in just 77 games. The Suns other top hitters were SS Kevin English with a .319 mark and 5 homers, C Don Holden .311 with 9 home runs in 77 games, 3B Randy Knowles .307 and 11 homers in 77 games and RF Willie Clarke at .302 with two roundtrippers in 97 games.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

March 1, 2004

Buccaneers Picked For Middle of the Pack in TU West
Bay St. Clair under manager Guy Rondre has been up and down in the Tycobbian Union West race over its three seasons in the IPA. The Bucs went from a poor sixth in season one to the elation of a division crown in 2003. Last year they slumped badly to under .500 and fourth place spot in the standings. The BNN experts are predicting pretty much of the same this year as the Buccaneers are just about the same fourth place ball club, but just a year older.

Rondre has added some excellent defense in SS Johnny Dittmer, who is still technically a rookie as he played very sparingly last season. Dittmer is a superb shortstop and will make the Buccaneers much stronger defensively, but will not be much at the plate. Dittmer is projected to hit .270 and has very little power. Newcomer Johnny Brink will get the nod in right field from Rondre. Brink is a good power and contact hitter and is a solid defender with good range and a good arm. LF Rafe Bayless is the third rookie on the squad. He can hit the ball with authority, but has trouble in the field. It looks like a back-up year for Bayless as a quality pinchhitter.

Bay St. Claire's main strength is two strong starters in the phenomenal All-Star Dennis Coulon (19-12 2.45) and Duke DeVree (18-16 3.63). In the bullpen former starter Norm Gross (5-5 3.35) has done well as the team closer.

At the plate 3B Ed Albrecht (.295 BA/24 HR/113 RBI), CF Wayne Latham (.319 BA/9 HR/84 RBI), 1B George Lyons (.252 BA/19 HR/75 RBI) and 2B Tony Mann (.310 BA/8 HR/71 RBI) have led the Buccaneer bats.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

March 1, 2004

Vikings Will Repeat as TU West Champs
Bayview completed its best season so far in the Islandian Pro Alliance by winning the TU West by five games over Rolling Hills. The Vikings also went deep into the playoffs losing to the eventual champion, the Turon Typhoons, in the Elite 8.

Commenting on the pennant-winning year, manager Walter Johanssen said, "It was a special season for us. Everything seemed to come together this year. We have always been able to hit, but this year our pitching came through for us. Considering they have to pitch in one of the smaller parks in the league, they did a superb job."

The Vikings finished third and fourth in the first two seasons of the IPA, then kicked it up a notch or two and won the crown this year with better hitting, power and pitching. Going into 2004 Bayview is the odds-on favorite to repeat in the Tycobbian West Division. The Viks tied Marston and Colchester for the most All-Star Game performers with three.

Bayview is sticking with the same roster as last season, adding only one pitcher Georgie Fambreau, a lefthanded pitcher, who will be used as a spot starter and long reliever by Johanssen.

Top Pitchers: Adrian Strom (24-5 3.44), Frank Wells (13-3 2.60), All-Star LHP Jerry Harrison (17-15 3.80), LHP Paul Hood (16-15 4.21) and closer LHP Terry Banks (3-5 3.21) with 26 saves and 76 game appearances.

Top Hitters: All-Star C Hank Bethel (.318 BA/37 HR/108 RBI), 1B Chancey Quibedeaux (.338 BA/22 HR/95 RBI/102 R/29 SB), All-Star CF Phil Kanaan (.292 BA/19 HR/89 R/51 SB), 3B James Scott (.288 BA/15 HR/91 RBI) and 2B Alan Hansen (.304/2 HR/105 R/43 SB).

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

March 1, 2004

Beechwood Getting Better, Will Challenge For Playoff Spot in RU East
Skipper Bret George and his Beechwood Bobcats are making progress in the Ruthlandian Union East race. In 2003 they were 66-88 and 21 games off the pace for seventh place in the standings. Last season the Bobcats improved to a tie with Belle Plaine for fifth with a 70-84 mark and 18 games out.

George predicted, "This is our season to make the playoffs. We think we can catch Eastshore and Marston. Third place is not out of the question. The Bobcats are going to contend strongly this year. We have four rookies that are going to make an impact."

No argument from the baseball scribes. They concur with George's assessment of the coming season. Beechwood has a fine rookie 3B Kurt Goodman, who is a 20-homer a year man and good contact hitter with a good eye, but just fair with the glove. At second base George will start another newcomer, slick-fielding Luc Reichardt, who doesn't have much punch, but is expected to hit in the .275-.280 range. Also making the roster are two rookie righthanders, Ozzie Burton and Joe Ayers. Burton will be the #4 starter and Ayers will share the #5 slot with two other returning pitchers.

Best Pitchers: Lance Moore (19-12 3.24), Dek Jumonville (12-12 3.94), closer Will Cadbury (6-8 3.35) with 26 saves and 71 relief appearances.

Best Hitters: 1B Ray Slater (.328 BA/10 HR/69 RBI), SS Eldon Barker (.313 BA/15 HR/56 RBI), CF Lonnie Snider (.310 BA/13 HR/70 RBI/100 R/39 SB)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

March 2, 2004

Belair Beach Will Challenge For Top Spot In RU South
The Belair Beach Sunbirds have made steady progress in the Ruthlandian Union South Division in the first three seasons in the IPA, going from 69-81 (5th-15 GB) to 82-72 (4th-3 GB) to 85-69 (2nd-4 GB).

According to manager Marty Pedroza, "The Sunbirds are poised to challenge St. John for the top spot in the South this season. Our pitching is excellent and we have improved it over the winter with a couple of talented rookies, Jed Mitchell and Joe Schmidt. Our defense has also been upgraded with Art Parker at second base. Parker is no slouch when it comes to hitting, either. He's a rookie, but don't label him as a "good field, no hit" type of guy. Parker doesn't have power, but he doesn't strike out and will hit around .300, which is fine with me. His glove will save us a lot runs. Little Jake Bungarooba will take over at catcher and add another great glove to the line-up. We are as strong up the middle as any team with C Bungarooba, SS Danny Church, 2B Parker and CF Bobby Joe Morris. I think we can win with good pitching, defense and my two homer boys, Swift and Gravelli."

Best Pitchers: Tiny Lindgren (22-13 2.69), Slim Mosley (21-11 2.84), Terry Christian (14-9 2.77), Ray Watson (18-11 3.29) and closer LHP Johnny Spears (4-8 3.19 with 23 saves in 76 appearances.

Best Batters: LF Nicky Swift (.254 BA/36 HR/115 RBI), All-Star 1B Phil Gravelli (.332 BA/35 HR/113 RBI), Bobby Joe Morris (.288 BA/11 HR/90 R)