ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

2084 Tycobbian Union Division Preseason Picks

[20_range]

[Eugene Church]

Thanks for the excellent logo, 20_range.
Much appreciate it.

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He is a brilliant designer... you need to check his excellent work on the OOTP Mods Forum. You will be blessed if he does one of your custom requests.

When 20_range does traditional logos, he's as good as they get. Right up there with txranger and knuckler, who are the very best IMHO..

[Eugene Church]

Tuesday, July 10, 2084

IPA ALL-STARS GATHER THIS TUESDAY IN EAST POINT FOR 84TH ALL-STAR CLASSIC
One week from today the Islandian Pro Alliance All-Stars will come out to shine at Armed Forces Park in East Point for the 84th IPA All-Star Classic. 52 of the biggest and brightest stars in Islandian baseball will have their chance to shine on the diamond. The Tycobbian Union All-Stars will be led by Rolling Hills shortstop Emmett Spangler, who is making his 7th appearance in the star-studded game. The Ruthlandian Union All-Stars will be paced by 7-time All-Star first baseman Troy Swinnerton of the LaGrange Gators. Spangler will be joined by 3-time honorees: catcher Liam McWhirter of La Claire, third sacker Johnny Doolen of Hillsboro and center fielder Rex Good of Colchester. Swinnerton will have the help of 3-time All-Stars: pitcher Orrin Wessex of Cold Creek, second baseman Tim Bozeman of Colfax, left fielder Bruno Lutz of Belair Beach and right fielder Harland Schiffman of Taranto. The Tycobbian Stars are far ahead in the annual clash with a sparkling 53-30 mark. The Belair Beach Sunbirds lead all comers with 7 All-Stars. Colfax and Hartsdale have 4 representatives and Rolling Hills 3. The oldest All-Star is pitcher Russ Stonestreet of Hillsboro. He is making his debut appearance at age 36. The youngest All-Stars are 20-year-old right fielder Kim Kallstrom of Bayview and right fielder Dutch Van Donk of Belair Beach. Only one rookie made the teams. That was Valmara center fielder Ozzie Sartori, age 24.

Last year's finalists in the Pro Cup Series, Johnny Moore of Pro Cup champion East Point and Lonny Rinehart of runner-up Volusia, will be the opposing managers in the All-Star Game.

For the Ruthlandian Union, the roster includes:
SP Noah Fairclough (FTB) - 14-1, 2.63 ERA, 137.0 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 2.6 WAR
SP Antoni Krakowski (ETS) - 9-3, 2.60 ERA, 117.2 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 4.6 K/9, 2.4 WAR
SP Dick Latham (CFX) - 11-5, 3.07 ERA, 126.0 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 5.7 K/9, 2.8 WAR
SP Kerby Mars (FC) - 10-5, 2.67 ERA, 135.0 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 5.7 K/9, 3.3 WAR
SP Gardiner Palmquist (BB) - 10-3, 2.39 ERA, 120.2 IP, 1.38 WHIP, 4.3 K/9, 2.2 WAR
SP Orin Wessex (CCR) - 11-3, 2.82 ERA, 140.1 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 4.4 WAR
CL Georgie Adams (BB) - 10-1, 2.47 ERA, 102.0 IP, 1.29 WHIP, 5.2 K/9, 1.7 WAR
CL Clancy Planchard (WYN) - 6-4, 8 SV, 1.94 ERA, 79.0 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 7.1 K/9, 2.9 WAR
C Winky Brewer (GC ) - .331/.426/.438, 260 AB, 7 HR, 146 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
C Gavin Foxton (CFX) - .345/.415/.644, 267 AB, 21 HR, 190 wRC+, 4.9 WAR
C Tomas Lizano (SD) - .312/.376/.482, 253 AB, 12 HR, 136 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
1B Glenn Elliott (KIL) - .304/.432/.594, 293 AB, 22 HR, 178 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
1B Tory Swinnerton (LAG) - .329/.419/.610, 313 AB, 25 HR, 176 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
1B Keith Tobin (MDF) - .342/.437/.594, 266 AB, 19 HR, 181 wRC+, 3.6 WAR (Injured)
2B Tim Bozeman (CFX) - .337/.369/.515, 309 AB, 6 HR, 3 SB, 143 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
2B Evan Murdock (BB) - .316/.437/.414, 307 AB, 2 HR, 23 SB, 145 wRC+, 4.7 WAR
3B Chris Savallas (ANC) - .327/.410/.633, 300 AB, 28 HR, 13 SB, 186 wRC+, 5.4 WAR
3B Ben Watkins (CFX) - .353/.415/.548, 312 AB, 10 HR, 9 SB, 165 wRC+, 4.5 WAR
SS Max Hartenstein (FM) - .298/.331/.419, 322 AB, 9 HR, 3 SB, 107 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
SS Dirk MacIntyre (BB) - .297/.372/.470, 330 AB, 14 HR, 2 SB, 134 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
LF Bruno Lutz (BB) - .268/.348/.492, 321 AB, 16 HR, 6 SB, 129 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
LF Connor Murphy (KIL) - .279/.393/.535, 312 AB, 20 HR, 11 SB, 159 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
CF Lucky Hayden (BB) - .347/.394/.602, 314 AB, 20 HR, 5 SB, 171 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
CF Ozzie Sartori (VLM) - .377/.455/.614, 308 AB, 13 HR, 8 SB, 194 wRC+, 5.6 WAR
RF Harland Schiffman (TAR) - .319/.401/.609, 320 AB, 19 HR, 5 SB, 177 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
RF Dutch Van Donk (BB) - .321/.473/.538, 277 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 181 wRC+, 5.9 WAR
.

For the Tycobbian Union these players have been selected:

SP Dominic Bard (RH) - 11-3, 2.60 ERA, 121.1 IP, 1.10 WHIP, 4.2 K/9, 3.4 WAR
SP Barry Boyett (HAR) - 11-1, 2.86 ERA, 122.2 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 6.0 K/9, 1.9 WAR
SP Al Coulson (BSC) - 8-2, 1.79 ERA, 130.2 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 5.9 K/9, 3.2 WAR
SP Mel Golden (MAH) - 10-3, 2.87 ERA, 122.1 IP, 1.34 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 3.1 WAR
SP Bobby Perry (MAH) - 11-1, 2.44 ERA, 132.2 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 3.3 WAR
SP Russ Stonestreet (HIL) - 10-4, 2.35 ERA, 138.0 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 2.0 WAR
SP Frankie Tate (MDW) - 9-5, 2.27 ERA, 139.0 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 3.6 WAR
CL Philip Reiser (TUR) - 5-2, 17 SV, 2.78 ERA, 64.2 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 1.8 WAR
C Liam McWhirter (LC) - .300/.363/.378, 233 AB, 1 HR, 1 SB, 106 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
C Buck Ransom (RB) - .329/.394/.482, 249 AB, 9 HR, 146 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
C Mike Ruskin (EP) - .294/.409/.439, 221 AB, 7 HR, 143 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
1B Lucien Legrand (FFX) - .370/.417/.589, 343 AB, 16 HR, 2 SB, 173 wRC+, 3.6 WAR (Injured)
1B Davy Mannington (SF) - .356/.418/.571, 326 AB, 18 HR, 1 SB, 174 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
1B Timus Raadik (CCH) - .335/.415/.585, 316 AB, 19 HR, 11 SB, 172 wRC+, 4.0 WAR
2B Noah Bowers (AG) - .293/.408/.481, 287 AB, 13 HR, 4 SB, 151 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
2B Jimmy Love (CCH) - .355/.412/.579, 321 AB, 18 HR, 1 SB, 172 wRC+, 4.9 WAR
3B Johnny Doolen (HIL) - .298/.384/.502, 299 AB, 16 HR, 13 SB, 146 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
3B Eli Kulacz (HAR) - .309/.409/.605, 311 AB, 22 HR, 174 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
SS Tripper Rogen (FFX) - .322/.374/.463, 311 AB, 7 HR, 2 SB, 127 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
SS Emmett Spangler (RH) - .325/.439/.438, 292 AB, 6 HR, 146 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
LF Smoke Busby (TUR) - .372/.440/.639, 285 AB, 23 HR, 193 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
LF Jorah Hladki (HAR) - .364/.454/.689, 305 AB, 25 HR, 212 wRC+, 4.8 WAR
CF Rex Good (CCH) - .326/.378/.528, 322 AB, 11 HR, 5 SB, 147 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
CF Clifford Stratton (RH) - .298/.409/.495, 289 AB, 13 HR, 4 SB, 145 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
RF Kim Kallstrom (BAY) - .339/.426/.645, 307 AB, 26 HR, 1 SB, 194 wRC+, 5.9 WAR
RF Calvin Mannon (HAR) - .350/.426/.719, 317 AB, 31 HR, 1 SB, 211 wRC+, 5.7 WAR

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, July 19, 2084

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

Thursday, July 20, 2084

BELAIR BEACH, HARTSDALE AND COLD CREEK LOOKING LIKE WINNERS AT MIDSEASON
It's just midseason and the Belair Beach Sunbirds already possess a 14-game lead in the Ruthlandian South. The Hartsdale Hellcats are romping past everybody in the Tycobbian North with an 8-game bulge. And the Cold Creek Raccoons are playing consistently well in the Ruthlandian East with a 6-game edge. All three teams are looking like postseason participants. The other five divisions don't look to be decided any time soon. There are a bunch of good races. A couple of defending champions are in deep trouble. Poor East Point, last year's Pro Cup champion, is dead last in the TU East and 19 games behind. Wynnamac is struggling in a tie for 6th place in the RU East, trailing by 12 games.

Ruthlandian Union Roundup

SENTIMENTAL FAVORITE JUMBOS TOP RU NORTH AT MIDYEAR
Let's take a quick trip around the Islandian Pro Alliance halfway through the season. Preseason pick LaGrange is slow out of the gate in 5th place, 10 GB. The Gators have atrocious pitching. Thus far, Ancona is the top team with a 4-game margin over second place and last year's division winner Far Mountain. Valmara is running in the third spot 6 games out and Taranto is fourth, 7 GB. The smart money is on the Far Mountain Redhawks with their good hitting and good pitching. Although the same thing could be said about the Ancona Jumbos. Sentiment is with the Jumbos, who haven't grace the playoffs since 2022. Yep, that is a mighty long time.

NO CONTEST IN RU SOUTH, BELAIR BEACH BLASTING EVERYBODY BADLY
Belair Beach has no challengers in the Ruthlandian South. Waleska, the nearest competitor is nowhere in sight and 14 games behind. 'Nuff said, the race is over. The Sunbirds are resplendent at the plate (.289 BA) and on the mound (3.31 ERA). Overall, no one compares to them. The only teams better are the Hartsdale Hellcats with .293 BA and the Mahaska Haymakers with an impressive 3.28 ERA. Folks in the know are saying it will be a Belair Beach and Hartsdale Pro Cup Series. Or it could be Belair Beach going up against the Rolling Hills Racers. Either scenario could play out.

COLD CREEK SOLID AND STEADY ALL SEASON, RACCOONS RULE RU EAST
The month of April could have been better. The Cold Creek Raccoons started off the season sluggishly at 10-11, but they then became solid and steady and rattled off three straight excellent months. In the middle of July, the Raccoons are enjoying a 6-game lead over the runner-up Marston Nine, 9 games better than Elnora in the third spot in the Ruthlandian East standings and 10 games up on fourth place Sugar Valley. Last year's division flag winner Wynnamac has slumped to a tie for 6th and is 12 games off the pace. The outlook is good for Cold Creek. It could be a good year like 2081 when the Raccoons captured the pennant. None of the possible contenders are playing especially well.

GOOD 'N' CLOSE 4-TEAM RACE IN RU WEST, ANYONE CAN WIN
It's another good race in the Ruthlandian West again this year with 4 teams in the fracas. Last year's division champion and Pro Cup finalist, Volusia, is right up in the mix, along with midseason leader Colfax, Fort Benton and Forest City. In the preseason pickings the Colfax Black Sox were a slight favorite to beat out the Vigilantes this year. Colfax is currently up by a single game over the Fort Benton Defenders, 4 games ahead of Volusia in the third spot and 6 games in front of fourth place Forest City. The V's have perked up in the last 6 weeks and just might have the momentum down the stretch. Still it's anybody's ballgame to win. The Black Sox are the hungriest team. Colfax hasn't won the RU West since 2065. Fort Benton has copped 3 of the last 7 division flags. The Cannons last won it in '81, Volusia last year in '83 and Forest City in '82. The outlook is for another fight-to-the-finish like last season. The Vigilantes beat out Middlefield by 2 games, Colfax by 4 and Sligo by 6.

Tycobbian Union Roundup

HELLCATS HAVING A HECK OF A SEASON IN TU NORTH
According to the preseason prognosticators, there was only going to be a two-team pennant race in the Tycobbian North Division. It was forecast to be a frenzied fight between perennial power Hartsdale with its 6 division crowns in the last 12 years and perpetual loser Fairfax, which has had only 3 winning seasons in the last 23 years and no postseason playoff appearance since 2033. Surprisingly the Frogs were forecast to win the title in a tense duel with the Hellcats. A two-team race was seen. Nope, it hasn't turned out that way. Hartsdale is having a marvelous season with an 8-game lead over second place Mahaska and a whopping 16 games better than Fairfax. The Hellcats are having a monstrous year with the bats, combined with a little better than average mound work. Hartsdale sports a fantastic .293 BA (1st) with 551 runs scored (1st) and a quality 3.85 ERA (9th). Mahaska is a good-hitting club with very good pitching. The Haymakers top the IPA with a 3.28 ERA, while batting .268 (12th) with 90 homers (10th) and 428 runs (10th). With its fine pitching, Mahaska could narrow the gap by season's end and make it a decent race.

CC HURRICANES AND COLCHESTER ELITES PRIMARY CONTENDERS IN TU SOUTH
'Twas going to be a 5-team free-for-all in the Tycobbian South according to the preseason predictions. Turon was favored to win, followed by Arroyo Grande, Cape Coral, Ginza and Summerland. For some unknown reason, last year's champion Colchester was given short shrift in this year's poll and picked last. So far 4 teams have made a race of it. At midyear Cape Coral is the top team, just barely ahead of defending champ Colchester, 4 games in front of Ginza and 5 games better than preseason favorite Turon. Arroyo Grande and Summerland have flopped and fallen out of the hunt. The Hurricanes with two flags in the last 3 seasons have been steady and consistent with no losing months this year. The defending champion Elites have also played well. Most likely it will come down to Cape Coral and Colchester. Both clubs can put runs on the scoreboard with their good attacks, but so can the opposition. The 'Canes and Elites don't have very much pitching. The Ninjas have some quality starters, but they can't bang with Cape Coral and Colchester. Ginza rarely has a winning season and they haven't made the playoffs since 2060. The Typhoons can go deep, have pretty good starters and an excellent closer. They could make it a 3-team battle for the TU South title. From 2070 to 2079 Turon won 8 pennants in 10 years with 2 Pro Cup Trophies in 2072 and 2078. The current Typhoons lack the pitching those teams had.

OZARKA WILL HOLD OFF SOUTH FORK AND HILLSBORO FOR TU EAST CROWN
One thing for sure, the defending division champion and the defending Pro Cup champion East Point Panthers will not repeat this season. No way can they come back from last place and 19 games back to get back into the hunt in the Tycobbian East. The pundits were on point with East Point. They were ranked the 7th-best team in the division. The Ozarka Naturals the top team this season. They put up a good fight last year before succumbing by 4 games to the Panthers. Only 2 clubs made the race last season. This year there are 3 teams in the chase. Ozarka has a good 5-game edge over runner-up Hillsboro with South Fork 6 games back. The Naturals are a well-balanced club that can score and pitch well. They nabbed the division crown in 2082 and came in a close second last year. This just might be their year. The Hillsboro Blazers have been a mediocre and lackluster club since 2067, their last postseason appearance. The Blazers are good all-around, too, with good bats, scoring and pitching. South Fork has remained fairly close all season with good hitting, pitching and power. In the preseason poll only Ozarka and South Fork were given any chance at the flag with Hillsboro picked to finish in the cellar. Lots can happen in the second half of the season, but it looks like the Naturals have the stuff to stave off the Stallions and the Blazers.

CAN RACERS TOP VIKINGS AGAIN THIS YEAR IN TU WEST?
Yeah, buddy, the Rolling Hills Racers are a rock-solid and successful franchise. The Racers have won 17 of the last 24 pennants and 8 Pro Cups during that same period of time in the Tycobbian West. Rolling Hills has amassed a record 10 Pro Cups. Yep, they are still the best in the west. Rolling Hills was a solid choice of the sportswriters and scribes to repeat again this season by a goodly margin over Denton City, Bay St. Clair and Bayview. But it hasn't been as easy as forecast. Last year's rival Bayview came back with a vengeance this season after losing out by a single, solitary, scant game. It looks like a photo finish again this year. The Vikings have a skimpy one-game lead over the Racers with 2 and a half months to go. Both contenders do it with their strong offenses and average mound corps. The Arlon Champions, Bay St. Clair Buccaneers and the Denton City Redbirds are all within striking distance. 5 games out of first place, Arlon has the hitting, but not the pitching. 6 games back in fourth place, Bay St. Clair lacks the scoring and pitching to catch the leaders. Denton City is not in the same class as the division big boys either. The Redbirds will not overtake Arlon or Bay St. Clair. Poor Bayview has not been to the postseason since 2016, Bay St. Clair since 2050, Denton City since 2050 and Arlon since 2059. It will come down to Bayview and Rolling Hills again this year. September will be sizzling in the Tycobbian West.

2084 Ruthlandian Union Midseason Leaderboards


Ruthlandian Union Midseason Standings


Ruthlandian Union Team Stats

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

2084 Tycobbian Union Midseason Leaderboards


Tycobbian Union Midseason Standings


Tycobbian Union Team Stats

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

Friday, September 1, 2084

4 NECK-TO-NECK FINISHES IN IPA PENNANT RACES
Heading into September, Belair Beach has it all wrapped up in the Ruthlandian South. Ditto for Ozarka in the Tycobbian East and Hartsdale in the Tycobbian North. The probable victor in the Ruthlandian West is Fort Benton. All the remaining 4 divisions probably will feature neck-to-neck photo finishes. It's a great day to be a baseball fan in the Islands!

Ruthlandian Union September Outlook

5-TEAM LOGJAM IN RU NORTH
Around the Islandian Pro Alliance. It's a great race in the Ruthlandian North. Going to the final month, Ancona is deadlocked with last year's champion Far Mountain. 2 games behind are the LaGrange Gators, the preseason favorite. Don't count out fourth place Taranto, just 4 GB and Valmara, 5 and a half games off the pace. It will probably come down to the Jumbos, Redhawks and Gators. At the beginning of September, they are playing the best baseball of all the contenders.

SUNBIRDS ARE LEAD-PIPE CINCHES IN RU SOUTH
The Ruthlandian South pennant race was over a month or two ago. The Belair Beach Sunbirds have wiped everybody in sight. Nobody is close. The Sunbirds have a 14-game bulge in the last month of the season. Belair Beach will be one of the favorites to win it all this year, along with Hartsdale, Ozarka and whoever wins the TU West, Bayview or Rolling Hills.

RU EAST UP IN THE AIR, 5 TEAMS STILL IN THE HUNT
What a race in the Ruthlandian East. None of the current top teams, first place Cold Creek, second place Belle Plaine and third place Marston, were given much of a chance to win the division in the preseason poll. Wynnamac was rated most likely to win this season. The Macs are in the fifth spot with a losing record, yet they still have a slight chance to win. With only one month to go, slumping Cold Creek has chilled down. The Raccoons only have a one-game margin over the perpetual also-ran and loser Belle Plaine Musketeers, who have come out of nowhere in the last two months to be a serious challenger. Third place Marston trails by just 2 and a half games. The Nine has cooled off the last few months. Fourth place Eastshore suddenly caught fire in August and is only 3 games behind. Last year's flag winner Wynnamac still has a remote chance at the pennant, but is 6 games off the pace. The Macs have been playing good ball in recent months. The Musketeers and the Cotton Kings are the best bets to take the RU East this year. They are both sizzling going into September. The Belle Plaine Musketeers have only gone to the playoffs one time in its sad and long sordid history. That was way, way, way back in 2009. Come on you Muskies. It's one for all, y 'all and all for one, you all. (That's how we say it in South Ruthlandian and South Tycobbia). The Eastshore Cotton Kings have made the playoffs 10 times in history and even has 2 Pro Cup Trophies (2016 and 2017). Their last division title came in 2074.

CANNONS EXPLODE IN 2ND HALF, TAKE CHARGE OF RU WEST
This season the Ruthlandian West pennant race was forecast to be between just two teams, last year's champion Volusia and this year's favorite Colfax. At midseason the Fort Benton Cannons suddenly caught fire and exploded in a second-half surge to take command of the division race. Fort Benton has a solid 6 and one-half game lead going into September. The Cannons are firing on all cylinders, Colfax has declined over the last few months and Volusia had completely fallen out of the race, 12 and a half games out. This will be Fort Benton 4th flag in the last 8 years. The Cannons will be seeking their very first IPA Pro Cup. It is unlikely Colfax can overtake them at this late date in the season.

Tycobbian Union September Outlook

HARTSDALE HANDILY HANDLING TU NORTH
Though the Hartsdale Hellcats were the second choice of the Islands' baseball experts to win the Tycobbian North pennant, so far, the Hellcats have easily handled all opposition, including preseason favorite Fairfax, and is headed for its 3rd straight pennant and their 6th overall in the last 13 seasons. At the beginning of September, Hartsdale has a strong 9-game margin over runner-up Mahaska and 10 over Fairfax. It is not likely that the Haymakers and Frogs will overtake the Hellcats. Hartsdale took charge in June and never looked back into their rearview mirror. They have thoroughly dominated the TU North this year and will be a potent force in the Pro Cup playoffs. The Hellcats have two Pro Cups to their credit. They won them in 2046 and 2063. Hartsdale would like nothing better than to add another esteemed prize to their trophy case.

5-TEAM BOTTLENECK IN TU SOUTH
Four teams are within 2 games of the top of the standings in the Tycobbian South and each of them has a fighting chance at the division flag. Even 5th place Arroyo Grande, 6 GB, could win it with a super September. Most likely the victor will come from the top four clubs. Preseason favorite Turon and Ginza are hot heading into the final month of play. Momentum is with them. Right now first place Cape Coral is sagging, but it has a game and a half lead over runner-up Ginza. Turon and slipping Colchester are just 2 games behind. The Elites won the pennant last year in a romp. 5th place belongs to the Arroyo Grande Suns, but they are 6 games off the pace, a difficult number of games to make up in one month, especially with 4 teams to overcome and pass. The Suns have been the best team in the TU South the last two months. The first place Hurricanes have won the TU South twice in the last 3 seasons. The last time the Ninjas challenged for the pennant was 2071. Their last division flag and playoff appearance came in 2060. The Typhoons last division title came in 2079, but they have come close in 2080 and 2082. Of course, the pennant winner will be the team that has the best September. That will probably be Turon or Ginza. They are the hottest teams going into the last month of play. May all the underdogs in the pennant races prevail. Long live the unsung, unheralded and the long forgotten.

YEP! NATS SUREFIRE WINNER IN TU EAST
With a 9-game bulge going into the last month of the season, the Ozarka Naturals just can't possibly lose the pennant, can they? The Nats are a remarkable 38-14 since July. Surely they will breeze to the Tycobbian East title. There's no way South Fork can catch them. The Stallions are the only viable horse still in the race. Ozarka has made shambles of the race. The Naturals were favored to edge out the Stallions in the preseason poll. No one else was given any chance to win the division. So you must say the baseball analysts knew their stuff, scribblings and stats this year. At least as far as the TU East is concerned. Last year's winner East Point, the defending Pro Cup winner, was picked to wind up 7th and that's exactly where they are currently. The Panthers got old very fast. I really got fond of the old guys. I thought they would still be a contender this year. That shows you how much I know. Yeah, buddy, it is looking like Ozarka just might be the best team in the IPA and just might win their very first Pro Cup.

DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN THIS YEAR IN TU WEST
Last year heading into September the race came down to the Rolling Hills Racers and the Bayview Vikings. The Racers slimmed past the Viks by one game and won the Tycobbian West crown. It was decided on the final two days of the season. It's happening again this year. Bayview is up by the scant total of one and one-half games. It's just between them and second place Rolling Hills. Both clubs are playing very well. So, once again get yo' self set for a torrid fight to the finish in the TU West. Bayview hasn't made the playoffs in almost 7 decades. Wow! That's just terrible. All Rolling Hills has done is make the postseason 28 times. All the Racers have ever done is win 10 Pro Cups. Come on Viking fans. You just gotta believe. EC has mixed emotions. I love the Racers. They are one of my all-time favorite teams in the Islandian Pro Alliance, but my heart may be with the Norsemen. No matter who wins, EC will be sad.

2084 Ruthlandian Union Standings September 1st


2084 Tycobbian Union Standings September 1st

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

Monday, October 1, 2084

BLOCKBUSTER IPA PLAYOFFS START TOMORROW
There's no rest for the weary. The Islandian Pro Alliance regular season just came to an end and the Pro Cup playoffs get going tomorrow. In first-round action in the Ruthlandian Union it will be LaGrange traveling to Belair Beach and Belle Plaine on the road in Fort Benton. Over in the Tycobbian Union Hartsdale is hosting Turon and Rolling Hills will be in Ozarka to play the Naturals. It is a wide-open affair this season. Any one of five or six clubs could be the IPA Pro Cup champion. That's how closely matched the contenders are. We'll have a new crownholder this year. Last year's winner East Point failed to make the postseason. The Panthers tumbled all the way to 7th place this season.

Four of the IPA divisions were pretty much decided going into September, but the other four went down to the last week of the season to be confirmed. Belair Beach, Fort Benton, Ozarka and Hartsdale clinched early and by good margins. However, it was tight, tense and turbulent for the LaGrange Gators, Belle Plaine Musketeers, Rolling Hills Racers and Turon Typhoons, who were pushed to the hilt to gain a postseason spot. The pressure was indeed intense for Belle Plaine. This is just the second pennant for the Muskies. Their first one came eons ago in 2009.

GATORS GRAB RU NORTH IN 2ND HALF FEAST
Here is a quick recap of the 2084 Islandian Pro Alliance season. In the Ruthlandian North preseason-favored LaGrange Gators stayed near the leaders until August, then shifted it into high gear (35-18) and outlasted rivals Ancona, Far Mountain, Taranto, Valmara. It was an exciting, down-to-the-wire 5-team race. The Gators were the only challenger to have a good month the final month of the season. They snatched the division crown with a 17-10 mark, while the others did not rise to the occasion. A September swoon befell the Jumbos (12-15) and Redhawks (12-15). The Vipers had a decent month 14-13, but it was not good enough.
Last Year's Winner: Far Mountain
Preseason Pick: LaGrange

BEHEMOTH BELAIR BEACH BULLDOZED RU SOUTH
By June the Ruthlandian South race was over. The Belair Beach Sunbirds had a monstrous season and bombed and bamboozled all comers all season long. They tormented other teams with a .285 BA, 890 runs and 178 homers. Belair Beach also had a good mound staff. The Sunbirds won the pennant by 18 games with great hitting and rock-solid pitching. 'Nuff said. The rest of the division never had a chance. It would have been a darn good pennant race if Belair Beach hadn't been in the RU South. Yeah, buddy, the Sunbirds are gonna soar high in the Pro Cup playoffs.
Last Year's Winner: Belair Beach
Preseason Pick: Belair Beach... and in a runaway, too.

MUSKETEERS WIN RU EAST 2ND TIME IN 83 YEARS
Vive les Belle Plaine Musketeers!
All for one and one for all!
They have accomplished a feat that is almost impossible. The hapless and hopeless Belle Plaine Musketeers won another Ruthlandian East pennant and it only took 75 years to do it. The Muskies didn't reach the .500 mark until August, then they went on a 37-17 rampage and copped the division crown by 5 games over stunned and shocked Cold Creek and Eastshore and 6 games better than Wynnamac. The Macs were the defending champ and also the preseason choice. And just where did the sages, scribblers and such pick the Musketeers - 7th place, of course.
Last Year's Winner: Wynnamac
Preseason Pick: Wynnamac

FORT BENTON CANNONS ROAR IN RU WEST
The Fort Benton Cannons were forecast to finish a lackluster 4th in the Ruthlandian West, just barely over the .500 mark. Lo and behold they won it in relatively easy fashion by 8 games over preseason favorite Colfax, 18 games better than 3rd place Middlefield and 19 games up on last year's division winner and Pro Cup finalist Volusia. Fort Benton hung close to the leaders until August and then took command and won going away. The Cannons were 36-19 the final two months of the season. The Black Sox went 29-25, but the Vigilantes fell apart and tumbled out of the race with a dismal 21-33 mark. The Roosters played poorly until midyear. Middlefield finished well with a 33-21 record, but they really never contended.
Last Year's Winner: Volusia
Preseason Pick: Colfax

HARTSDALE HAS ITS WAY IN TU NORTH
The Hartsdale Hellcats have a heck of team with big booming home-run power. They topped the IPA with 230 roundtrippers. Look for them to do very well in the Pro Cup playoffs. The pennant chase didn't last very long in the Tycobbian North. It was a two-team affair in the early going between Hartsdale and Mahaska. The Haymakers couldn't keep up with the Hellcats and dropped out of the race in July at midseason, finally succumbing by 8 games. The Fairfax Frogs were the only other team with a winning record in the division. They came in a distant 3rd, 12 GB.
Last Year's Winner: Hartsdale
Preseason Pick: Fairfax... the Hellcats were a close second.

2ND HALF SURGE WINS TU SOUTH FOR TURON
By August the Tycobbian South had settled down to a 4-team race between Cape Coral, Colchester, Ginza and Turon. The Typhoons went on a tear, posting a 34-21 record the final two months of the season to take the division flag by 3 games over the Hurricanes. The Ninjas wound up in 3rd place, 6 GB. There was a 3-way dead heat between the Arroyo Grande Suns, Colchester Elites and San Alejo Montaneros. Turon could be a dark horse in the Pro Cup playoffs. They have a good all-around club with very good home-run power and good pitching with a good quality starting four and one of the best closers in the IPA. That combination always seems to be successful in the postseason.
Last Year's Winner: Colchester
Preseason Pick: Turon in a 6-team race

OZARKA TAKES COMMAND OF TU EAST AT MIDYEAR
The Ozarka Naturals were favored to capture the Tycobbian East division title in a very close two-team race with the South Fork Stallions. That only lasted until July when the the Nats blitzed everybody in sight with a torrid 21-4 mark. Yep, the race was over. Ozarka soundly toppled the Stallions by 8 games, chalking up a 33-21 record in August and September. No one else was close. All the experts are saying the Naturals will be a big factor in the Pro Cup playoffs. They can do it all. Hit, hit with power, good starters, good bullpen and good defense.
Last Year's Winner: East Point (the Panthers even unexpectedly won the Pro Cup)
Preseason Pick: Ozarka

RACERS TESTED IN TU WEST, STILL THE BEST
This year the Rolling Hills Racers were supposed to win another Tycobbian West crown with ease, but it did not turn out that way. By midseason the Racers were running 3rd to the Bayview Vikings, trailing by 7 games and not looking like a champion. At that point they turned the season around with a 17-8 record and climbed into a tie for the top spot in the standings with the Viks. From then on it was all Rolling Hills. They went 36-19 the rest of the way and garnered the TU West title by 5 games over the Bayview Vikings. The Viks never quit. They also played well in the second half, just not quite as good as the red-hot Racers. Rolling Hills is rock-solid in all respects this season. Look for them to be a potent force in the postseason playoffs. The Racers are dead serious about winning their 11th Pro Cup Trophy. It will be tough. Belair Beach, Ozarka and Hartsdale are very fine clubs, too. This just might be one of the best Pro Cup playoffs ever. Turon and Fort Benton just might be in the mix, too.
Last Year's Winner: Rolling Hills
Preseason Pick: Rolling Hills

2084 Ruthlandian Union Final Standings


2084 Ruthlandian Union Final Team Statistics

[Eugene Church]

2984 Tycobbian Union Final Standings


2084 Tycobbian Union Final Team Statistics

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

Tuesday, October 3, 2084

IPA PRO CUP PREVIEW
8 Islandian Pro Alliance division champions are fresh from the thrill of victory and are now beginning their journey in quest of the highly treasured and precious Pro Cup Trophy, the symbol of baseball supremacy in the Islands. To attain this prized goal a team must win three series and a total of 12 victories. Each series is best-of-seven. Last year IPA overall champion, the East Point Panthers, will not get a chance to repeat as Pro Cup titlist. They wound up 7th in the Tycobbian East this year and didn't qualify for the postseason playoffs.

The 2084 IPA Pro Cup playoffs are being touted as having one of the best fields in recent years. Several first-round encounters are being treated with the fervor of the Pro Cup Finals.

According to the baseball sports world this year's triumphant team will be the Belair Beach Sunbirds. They were the top-ranked club according to The Islandian Times Pro Cup Poll. According to the sportscasters and sportswriters any one of 6 teams could take this year's ultimate honor. Most analysts say it is too close to call. Just put the names in a hat and pick one.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES PRO CUP POLL
1. BELAIR BEACH SUNBIRDS (99-55)
The Sunbirds have a terrific offense and solid pitching. However, defense is questionable. They have appeared in the postseason 11 times and won its only Pro Cup in 2071. Most of the time Belair Beach lost in the first rounds. However, in 2014 they made the Pro Cup Finals and lost a tense 7-game series to the Turon Typhoons.

2. Ozarka Naturals (98-56)
The Nats are making their 17th trip to the postseason. They have never won a Pro Cup, though they made the Pro Cup Finals 5 times years ago (2011, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2020). Ozarka is a good all-around squad, including a good bullpen and good defense.

3. Rolling Hills Racers (93-61)
Perennial power with much postseason success. Many pundits really like the Racers' team this year. No weaknesses. The Thoroughbreds even have good pitching, good bullpen and good defense this season. This will be their 29th appearance. 10 times Rolling Hills has won it all (2029, 2031, 2048, 2060, 2062, 2067, 2069, 2075, 2079, 2081).

4. Hartsdale Hellcats (98-56)
The Cats have made it to the playoffs 18 times in the team's history and they have collected 2 Pro Cups (2046, 2063). Hartsdale has a high-powered attack. They topped the IPA with 230 homers and led the Tycobbian Union with 858 runs, however the mound corps is just average. The Hellcats will have to hit their way to the Pro Cup crown.

5. Turon Typhoons (86-68)
The Typhoons have made many trips to the Pro Cup playoffs over the years with great success. This is the 29th time they have made the playoffs and they have won the IPA Pro Cup on 6 occasions, second best in IPA history. Only Rolling Hills has more. Turon won it in 2003, 2006, 2009, 2018, 2072 and 2078. The Typhoons also reached the Pro Cup Finals and lost 5 times (2010, 2017, 2056, 2070, 2071).

6. Fort Benton Cannons (95-59)
This is a dangerous team. They do a lot of things well. The Cannons are the best defensive team in the IPA. They hit well, score well, but they lack a good bullpen, which is important in the playoffs. Don't be surprised if Fort Benton goes deep into the postseason.

7. LaGrange Gators (86-68)
As you can see by their ranking, the Gators do not impress the baseball pros. Compared to most of the playoff teams, their offense is average, but they do hit a lot of homers. The starters are pretty good and reliable, but the bullpen is weak. LaGrange has never won the Pro Cup and they have never gone deep in the postseason playoffs, usually losing out in the first round. The Gators have won 11 pennants and they have been eliminated 9 times in round one, reaching the second round only twice. Never been to the Pro Cup Series ever.

8. Belle Plaine Musketeers (87-67)
The Musketeers are a great story this year. They were picked to wind up 7th this year in the preseason poll. Nobody in the IPA ever pays any attention to this woefully inept team. Only once in history did Belle Plaine grace the playoffs, 75 years ago in 2009. True to form, the Muskies lost in the first round. 2084 was nothing new -- until July. EC suspects in acute desperation the team called on D'Artagnan, Aramis and Porthos, the real Three Musketeers. EC also suspects in this day and age of fake news, that this rumor may not be entirely true. Anyway, Belle Plaine was 12 games behind Cold Creek on July 1st way down in 6th place. They trailed by 6 games on August 1st. That was when the Musketeers finally managed to reach the .500 mark. By September 1st the Musketeers were just 2 games out of first place. Miraculously Belle Plaine went 52-27 in the second half of the season and wound up winning the Ruthlandian East by 5 games over shocked runners-up Cold Creek and Eastshore. They also bested defending champion and preseason favorite Wynnamac by 6 games. Hollywood screenwriters couldn't haven't written a better story. Now, the fable comes to an end. There is no way Belle Plaine can win the Pro Cup. Nope, not gonna happen. Or is it? Hope I'm wrong. Hope the Musketeers win the whole shebang. Looking at their team, they just might have an outside shot at the Pro Cup prize if they had a better bullpen. The rest of the club is pretty darn good.

2084 Ruthlandian Union Final Leaderboards

[Eugene Church]

2084 Tycobbian Union Final Leaderboards

[jg2977]

I will be paying attention with keen interest in the Belle Plaine Musketeers and LaGrange Gators. It's always fun to root for the underdogs.

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by jg2977

I will be paying attention with keen interest in the Belle Plaine Musketeers and LaGrange Gators. It's always fun to root for the underdogs.

jg2977, thanks for following the IPA.

You led your league in the IPA this season in one category.
I'll post your season stats in CD's thread on the Mods Forum.
CD had a rebirth this season, I think. He finally got to be a regular starting pitcher. I think he has played off and on for about 10 teams in his frustrating career.

[Eugene Church]

Sunday, October 8, 2084

SUNBIRDS, RACERS MOVE ON - NATS, GATORS GONE
Pro Cup favorite Belair Beach and third-ranked Rolling Hills moved up to the second round of the Islandian Pro Alliance playoffs. The Sunbirds and the Racers made quick work of #7 LaGrange and #2 Ozarka, eliminating them in four-game sweeps. Belair Beach will meet the winner of #6 Fort Benton and #8 Belle Plaine for the Ruthlandian Union title, while Rolling Hills awaits the victor of the #4 Hartsdale Hellcats and #5 Turon Typhoons for the Tycobbian Union crown and advancement to the Pro Cup Series.

The other first-round matches are both tied at 2 wins apiece with game five this afternoon.

SUNBIRDS SOCK IT TO GATORS, SWEEP ALL 4 GAMES
Belair Beach knocked off LaGrange with excellent pitching in the first three games. Then the Sunbirds won a runfest in the fourth game. Standing out on the hill were starters Gardiner Palmquist, Delmer Keel and Seth Calamaris. Heading up the batsmen were Dirk MacIntyre, Lucky Hayden and Dutch Van Donk. MacIntyre was the MVP with a .438 BA, 3 HR and 4 RBIs. Hayden cracked 2 out of the park, drove in 4 runs and hit .462. Troy Swinnerton starred for the Gators in defeat with a .500 BA (8 for 16), 3 homers and 7 RBIs.

RACERS HURLERS TOO MUCH IN 4-GAME SWEEP OVER OZARKA
Rolling Hills took care of highly-regarded Ozarka in the opening round of the Tycobbian Union playoffs. And they did it in a convincing way with strong starting pitching and a rock-solid attack. Dain Holman, Skeets Kazlauskas, Dominic Bard and Ivan Malek shut down the Nats bats in all four games. Series MVP Emmett Spangler and Coby Clancy provided the offensive support in the series. Spangler batted .444 with 8 for 18 and 5 RBIs, while Clancy had 2 roundtrippers, went 6 for 17 for a .353 BA and drove in 6 runs.

BELLE PLAINE BATS EVEN SERIES WITH FAVORED FORT BENTON
Still battling in the RU First Round, tied at two wins apiece, are the Fort Benton Cannons and the unsung Belle Plaine Musketeers. The Cannons won the first two games of the best-of-seven series 5-2 and 4-3 behind the good pitching of starter Noah Fairclough and reliever Slim Gamble. The Musketeers awoke in the next two games and pounded the Cannons 10-3 and 9-3, making it a brand-spanking new series. Jean-Paul Lacombe, Gip McAvoy and Callum Hayford led the Muskies at the plate.

PITCHING WILL DECIDE THE HARTSDALE-TURON SERIES IN TU FIRST ROUND
Games five and six will be crucial to both teams. How Hartsdale hurlers Wayne Wolfe and Barry Boyett and how Turon twirlers Clete Engstrom and Matt Simon fare will go a long way in deciding the outcome of the series.

Turon took the opener 4-3 in Hartsdale as Engstrom and closer Pete Reiser combined for the victory. The Hellcats prevailed in game two 6-5, another one-run thriller. The series switched to Turon for game three where Hartsdale won handily 9-2 behind their big bats of Eli Kulacz, Calvin Mannon and Bryan Tiller. Harmon Ford and reliever Albert Springer were both strong on the hill. The Typhoons got some offense in game four in a 6-4 triumph to tie up the series. Tracy Bramlett batted in 4 runs and Arnie Hershberger knocked in a pair.